August 17, 2023

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos has ordered the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to implement stricter rules and guidelines for accreditation of all volunteer fire brigades and require all of them to implement qualification standards to all volunteer firefighters and fire truck drivers in the wake of the death of a 62-year-old woman and the injury of eight others after they were accidentally hit by a responding volunteer fire truck in Tondo, Manila, on Monday afternoon.

“Ang sabi ko kay Chief ay i review nang ang present guidelines sa accreditation, lalo na ang qualification ng driver (no record on reckless driving, accidents, use of drugs, etc). Dahil nga ‘pag may emergency, mabilis ang takbo ng mga sasakyan at baka makaaksidente,” he said.

“If it is possible, dapat may seminar at exams sa emergency driving. Ang importante ay i-review nang maayos ang present guidelines,” he added.

He said volunteer fire truck drivers should also undergo drug test and neuropsychiatric exams to ensure that they are fit to drive a fire truck and during such precarious situations.

The driver of the responding fire truck in the Tondo incident was identified as Rodolfo Pineda, 27, who is currently under police custody and is facing charges for Reckless Imprudence Resulting to Homicide, Physical Injuries, and Damage to Property.

Abalos also said the BFP should carry out stringent rules to ensure that firetrucks of volunteer fire brigades are mechanically safe, sound, and suitable for operation. He added that BFP should also continuously require fire brigades to undergo training on fire prevention, fire suppression, and other related skills.

Meanwhile, the DILG Chief offered his condolences to the family of the victim who died in the incident and asked the concerned volunteer fire brigade association to extend appropriate assistance to those injured.

Original Article at: https://dilg.gov.ph/news/ABALOS-TO-BFP-IMPLEMENT-STRICTER-RULES-IN-GRANTING-ACCREDITATION-TO-ALL-VOLUNTEER-FIRE-TRUCK-BRIGADES/NC-2023-1145