Level of Capability of Bureau of Fire Protection in Responding Emergencies

Basis for Intervention Program

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

Rationale

According to Emmanuel Tupas the country's fire fighters deal with several challenges
every day, responding not only to fire incidents but also natural and man-made
calamities. But aside from external challenges, the men and women of the Bureau of
Fire Protection (BFP) also face problems within their organization. The BFP, with a
strength of 25,641 officers and personnel, does not have adequate fire fighting
equipment and this puts the lives of the fire fighters at risk every time they go out in the
field. The bureau's spokesman, Chief Inspector Jude Delos Reyes, bared that 50
percent of their personnel have incomplete personnel protective equipment (PPE).
These include helmets and boots. “The ideal setup is that each of our personnel will
have their own PPE but that is not what is happening in our stations,” he said in a phone
interview. The common scene at their fire stations, Delos Reyes disclosed, is that fire
fighters on the first shift endorse their protective equipment to colleagues in the next
shift. This dilemma is just among the problems that the BFP hopes will be addressed by
President Duterte. The BFP is also short on manpower as it needs at least 11,000 more
fire fighters to cover the entire country. The lack of manpower is evident during huge fire
incidents where they need more warm bodies in the field. For fire fighters working at
night, this scenario puts a strain on their health as they have to render extra hours to
help extinguish fires. There is also an overlapping of schedules as all available
personnel should be present during large fires, according to Delos Reyes. The lack of
fire trucks is also another concern for the bureau, which currently only has a fleet of
2,352 units nationwide. Of this number, 2,104 are serviceable, 45 are undergoing
repairs while 203 are already unusable. While most of the fire trucks are still active,
Delos Reyes lamented there are some units that are already old, especially for use in
far-flung areas. “We have units that have been around for 27 to 30 years, ” the official
said. Most of these old fire trucks are located in Visayas and Mindanao while majority of
the new units are in the National Capital Region. As the stringent bidding process for
the procurement of additional fire trucks takes two to three years to complete, the BFP
has to contend with just repairing the units. But this option is more costly in the long run
as the units are bound to fail eventually. Delos Reyes explained the best thing to do is
to buy new units to replenish their aging fleet of fire trucks. The delays in the
procurement of new equipment is caused by losing bidders who normally contest their
decision granting a project to a winning supplier. “In every process there are challenges
and complaints that we must resolve,” Delos Reyes said. The situation is different from
First World countries such as South Korea and Japan, where the fire trucks are
replaced every five years, ensuring they always have updated units. Aside from lack of
personnel and equipment, the BFP revealed that 304 towns in the country still don’t
have fire stations and fire trucks. Ninety-six of these towns are in the impoverished
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The BFP has four fire truck
ladders in Metro Manila but these are only capable of reaching structures with only
seven floors but not high-rise condominiums, Delos Reyes added. Duterte has raised
the idea of arming fire fighters so they can help fight communist rebels and other
lawless elements, a welcome development according to Delos Reyes, as they could
also protect themselves when they are on fieldwork. But before the guns, looks like
there are many BFP needs that should be addressed first. And why I chose this study
so that all of us can know how quickly the BFP responds in our area or in our country
when there are emergencies like fire. And also know if our BFPs have enough supplies
or equipment when there are emergencies. This study also recommended to adopt
automated system as the new process of application for fire safety certificates to solve
the weaknesses and shortcoming of the existing process, which will enable the BFP
administrators to adequately manage risks by gaining leverage with customer insights to
better improve services, and by gaining visibility into their operation to increase the level
of effectiveness and provide better services.

OBJECTIVES: This Study is to determine the level of capability of bureau of fire

protection in responding emergencies and to provide intervention program base on the
result.
Specifically, it sought to answer the following:

1. To determine the level of capability of bureau of fire protection in responding

emergencies;
2. To provide intervention program base on the result;

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The researcher visualizes that the findings of this study will be useful and significant to
the following:

Establishment. This study would help them to give them a knowledge about fire safety
protocol in addition to avoid their establishment being in caught in fire. It will make them
prepared in times of fire. Additionally, this course will teach them how to use appliances
safely and without risking an explosion or fire.
Criminology Students. They will be able to apply the study's findings to similar future
research projects. If students want to become BFP officers in the future, they will gain
from knowing about fire prevention. They can learn and offer assistance if there is a fire
nearby.
Society. This study will raise public awareness of fire safety precautions. When there is
a fire scenario and our BFPs are not yet available to respond, this research will also aid
society in coming up with potential solutions. Additionally, it will encourage creativity in
coping with fire situations.
BFP Fighters. With the aid of this study, they will be able to assess the effectiveness
and efficiency of their service in terms of preventing fires. The results of this study will
reveal the level of firefighter readiness of our BFP staff. Additionally, it will improve their
reputation in the eyes of the public.
Fire Victims. This study will educate the fire victims on how to be more watchful and
prevent being another fire victim. They will also get knowledge and strategies from this
research for dealing with fire-related issues. Additionally, it will aid kids in developing
self-awareness, particularly when dealing with fire in their home.
Researcher. The researcher would learn more about the challenges faced by female
inmates thanks to this study. He would learn more about the tactics used by the person
in charge thanks to this study. It will enable him to learn more about the criminal justice
system and use the information learned for his own journey.
Future Researchers. This Research the Future research that is related to the findings
of this study may utilize it as a guide. In order to advance or broaden pre-existing ideas
and facts, this would also point them in the direction of taking appropriate actions in
places where earlier scholars have fell short.

Definition of Terms

The following words used in this study were defined on its conceptual and

operational use for a better understanding and explanation:

LEVEL OF CAPABILITY. Conceptually, Achievement of process improvement within an
individual process area. (See also “generic goal,” “specific goal,” “maturity level,” and
“process area.”) A capability level is defined by appropriate specific and generic goals
for a process area. https://www.wibas.com/cmmi/capability-level. Operationally, in this
study, level of capability refers to the Capability of Bureau of Fire Protection in Responding
Emergencies Basis for Intervention Program.

BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION. Conceptually, The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)

is responsible for the prevention and suppression of all destructive fires in buildings,
houses and other structures, forests, land transportation vehicles and equipment, ships
or vessels docked at piers or wharves or anchored in major seaports, petroleum
industry installations, plane crashes and other similar incidents. The BFP enforces the
Fire Code and other related laws and investigates all causes of fires and, if necessary,
files the proper complaints with the city or provincial prosecutor who has jurisdiction
over the case.
https://www.dbm.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/OPCCB/OPIF2010/DILG/BFP.pdf .Operati
onally, in this study, it refers to implement the safety in every individual.
RESPONDING EMERGENCIES BASIS. Conceptually, Emergency response includes
any systematic response to an unexpected or dangerous occurrence. The goal of an
emergency response procedure is to mitigate the impact of the event on people and the
environment. https://www.safeopedia.com/definition/195/emergency-response.
Operationally, in this study, it refers to how BFP responding emergencies in society.
INTERVENTION PROGRAM. Conceptually, An intervention program is a treatment
method used by the mental health community, and utilized in a number of ways to better
the situation of individuals who have become dependant on various substances or
activities. Each intervention provides the subject with a collaborative treatment package,
by which friends, family members and specialists are able to help the addict move
towards a more fulfilling and happy life. https://family-intervention.com/blog/what-is-an-
intervention-program. Operationally, in this study, it refers to the Level of Capability of
Bureau of Fire Protection in Responding Emergencies Basis.
Hypothesis
Review of Related Literature and Studies

This section provides a review of related material that is pertinent to the

comprehension and clarity of the topic under consideration. These are based on the

findings of several studies relating to this present study.

Foreign Studies

According to Makhanu (2012) schools around the country have failed to emphasis on
installing fire protection equipment, alarms, and first-aid and fire fighting. Vulnerability of
schools to fire disasters is usually attributed to the following factors. Foremost, hostels
may not be of fire-resistive materials; they lack important fire protection equipment or
are not operational at the time of the fire. Such a state is hazardous and a recipe for fire
disaster. Common examples include: installed ventilators that are not in operation; exits
that are permanently locked or grilled especially windows; no installed alarm system; no
fire protection devices such as fire extinguishers and standpipes; rotten hose pipes;
hostel exit 12 doors that open inwards instead of outwards, such that in event of
emergency so many students pushing toward the door would jam it and eventually
caught up as none would escape. Also entry roads for extinguishers may be
inaccessible especially. Akali, Khabamba and Muyinga (2012) observe that little has
been done to prepare schools for fires. Only a handful of schools have fire extinguishers
in offices, laboratories, stores and kitchens and even these are not regularly serviced.
Furthermore, many public schools run on a shoe-string budget and cannot afford the
luxury of fire fighting equipment. School inspectors (QUASOs) hardly perform safety
assessment during routine checks in schools. Limited supply of water i.e. many schools
experience water shortages more often and lack hydrant points that would be effective
in putting out fires. Kumba (2011) reports that the Ministry of Education introduced new
rules to improve safety in all provincial secondary boarding schools be given between
Sh150, 000 and Sh350, 000 each to buy fire-fighting equipment. Every school was
requested by the government to set up a safety committee. However, there are many
schools which have not complied with such rules. Makhanu (2012) adds that fire fighting
equipment and other life saving devices should be generously displayed where they can
be easily spotted even when one is extremely frightened. Teachers, learners and the
subordinate staff should be routinely reminded about their existence and how to use
them. For established 13 institutions, automatic sprinkler, alarm and kitchen hood fire
protection must be installed during the reconstruction or major repairs phases. There
should be promptness in notifying the fire department for external assistance as
employees and students attempt to extinguish the fire themselves. Construction,
installation and maintenance processes, including periodic inspections should be done
in a manner to insure safety and usability of fire fighting equipment. Fire fighting
resource persons could be invited for such exercises. However, most of these activities
have not been carried out in the secondary schools in Kenya. Even the schools that
have fire extinguishers may not teach learners how to use them. Resultantly, in case of
a fire disaster, schools are still unprepared. 2.3 Adequacy of fire fighting equipment in
schools There are many schools which do not have adequate fire fighting equipment
(Shaw, 2012). Ians (2013) on a study in India discovered that as many as 1,200 schools
in the national capital, including some top privately run institutions, are flouting fire
safety norms. He said most schools seemed more interested in admitting a large
number of children instead of providing them a safe environment. He further noted that
many schools in the capital start operation with a “temporary” no objection certificate
(NOC) on the understanding that they would install the necessary equipment within one
year. However, many educational institutes never go back to the fire department for
getting a permanent NOC. While many government schools do not have basic fire-
fighting equipment, 14 many private schools have not bothered to get their facilities
certified from the fire department. Mwenga (2012) on a study to establish the safety
preparedness of secondary schools in Kyuso District, Kenya established that in this
district there are no adequate fire fighting equipments in the schools as majority, 43%
had between 1 - 5 fire fighting equipments. In addition, the number of fire fighting
equipment, fire fighting points and first aid kits were found to be un-proportional to the
size of the schools and the number of students hence inadequate to deal with any
emergency. The schools rarely trained their students on safety measures as indicated
by 44.5%, hence the students were not well-equipped with necessary training needed to
handle emergencies in the schools. In addition, the members of staff and school
matrons were not well-trained on fire fighting techniques since only 56.0% were fairly
trained. Lucheli and Masese (2012) also noted that the high cost of fire fighting
equipment has made it impossible for North Rift schools to install the kits. Though many
schools have removed grills from windows and installed double doors in dormitories,
they lack fire extinguishers. Following the 2001 fire disaster at Kyanguli in Machakos,
where 67 students lost their lives, the Government gave money to secondary schools
for safety measures. However, Lucheli and Masese (2012) observed that most schools
lacked fire extinguishers and where they were available; they were not in good working
condition. Most schools have tried to 15 meet the safety requirements, but fire
extinguishers are still a challenge. The principals in this region reported that schools
acquired fire fighting equipment from one company with Government funding, but what
the company delivered was substandard. After the Government stopped funding,
schools started single sourcing, but stringent budgets frustrated their efforts. In Nyanza,
more than 1,000 secondary and 5,000 primary schools do not have sufficient fire
fighting equipment. This shows how ill-equipped schools are to fire in case of a fire
disaster hence fire unpreparedness.

Local Studies.

The study of Canas, et al.,(2016), entitled “Firefighting Capabilityof Libmanan Fire

Station”, revealed that the firefighting facilities of the fire station was moderately
adequate and some did not conform to be standard set by the National Fire Protection
Association.Another finding in the study was on the leadership of the municipal Fire
Marshal, wherecommunity cooperation and manpower was moderately capable.
Dolot (2007), in his study entitilled “Fire Suppression Capability and Performance ofthe
Bureau of Fire Protection in Legaspi City”. Time is a consideration in response
andrecommends installation of at least five (5) water hydrants within Legaspi city to
minimizethe time for water refilling during fire incident and, review of the MOA should be
done bythe support groups and the BFP in order to iron out lapses and encourage
further contributions to a better fire protection services in the City of Legaspi and that
the BFPshould focus on improving it present capability.

Gandia (2008), in his thesis entitled “Fire Prevention Program of the Bureau of Fire
Protection (BFP) in Urdaneta City”, he evaluated the Fire Prevention Program
particularly the enforcement phase of the BFP in the City of Urdaneta during the period
of2006 to 2007, as to whether it was fully implemented or not. It is also determined the
extentof compliance by the business/building owners/occupants to the standard of the
Fire Codeof the Philippines assessed by the BFP Personnel of the Urdaneta City and
level ofeffectiveness in the implementation of the Fire Prevention Program as perceived
by theBFP Personnel and resident of the City. The study shows that on the conduct of
fire safetyinspection as a requirement to the grant of permits/licenses, for the occupancy
of the building and installation of Fire Protection and fire safety equipment, the
personnel and residents have the same descriptive rating of the “high.” Perception with
regards to the level of effectiveness of the Fire Prevention Program on fire safety
requirements to business, structures and their premises or facilities BFP Personnel rate
it high compared tothe residents with moderate. Extent of Compliance to the Fire Code
of the Philippines, theBFP Personnel assessed the compliance standards as high.

Cervantes and Soriano (2011), in the study entitled “Performance of the Bureau of Fire
Protection (BFP): Contributions to Fire Management”, fires are one of the few calamities
of which people can prevent. Besides the effort of the Bureau of Fire Protectionand the
passing of the Revise Fire Code or RA 9514 in 2008, fires are still one of theleading
man-made disasters in the Philippines. In 2011, there had already been several fires
like the incident on February 7 which left 3000 families homeless. Other than that,
mostestablishments, most notably in Baguio, are fire safety violators (Dar, 2011).
Theseincidents bring into question the effectiveness of the action and programs of the
BFP interms of their response to fire emergencies. The study assessed the
effectiveness of the BFP’s response method, campaigns and projects, and came up
with proposals that wouldincrease the effectiveness of fire management in the country.

Velasco (2013), in his study entitled “Epidemiological Assessment of Fires in the

Philippines, 2010-2012”. He stated that fires are the most costly preventable emergency
inthe Philippines but are relatively unstudied. Fires were a greater problem from 2010
to2012 and affected the same geographic locations. A total of 883 fires and 824 fire-
relatedcasualties were reported, majority of which occurred throughout November to
March, weremore frequent from midnight to 3 a.m., and most often involved residential
areas. Noimprovement in the fire situation was noted for 2010 to 2012. Thus, there is a
need toreview present local and national efforts at fire prevention and control. Further
researchand analysis of causes and determinants of fire would provide more useful
information forfire prevention policy and planning in the Philippines.

From the gathered previous study and literature both foreign and local, it can
beobserved that if the community is equipped with the knowledge regarding fire safety
programs, they can achieve a free-fire community. In the study of Canas, et al.,
(2016)revealed that the firefighting facilities of the fire station was moderately adequate
and some did not conform to be standard set by the National Fire Protection entitled
“firefightingcapability”. The study of Cervantes and Soriano (2011), in the study entitled
“Performance of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP): Contributions to Fire
Management”, fires are one 16 of the few calamities of which people can prevent.
Besides the effort of the Bureau of FireProtection. And the passing of the Revise Fire
Code or RA 9514 in 2008, fires are still oneof the leading man-made disasters in the
Philippines. Every citizen should know that firesafety eliminates, eradicate and remove
all probable fire hazards in our homes and work places. Ardales (2004) said that the
implementation of programs should be intensified inorder to create greater impact to the
community. Advocacy should be also be made in allsectors of the Barangay to
participate in the implementation of the programs. She addedthat, more strategies
should be employed, and that weakness of the strategies should beaddressed while the
strengths should be sustained. (Bitonio, 2013)

Theoretical Framework

This theory System Theory contributed to the understanding of the present study

focusing on the Level of Capability of Bureau of Fire Protection in Responding

Emergencies Basis for Intervention Program.

Systems theory was originally proposed by Hungarian biologist Ludwig von

Bertalanffy in 1928, although it has not been applied to organizations until recently (Kast

and Rosenzweig, 1972; Scott, 1981). The foundation of systems theory is that all the

components of an organization are interrelated, and that changing one variable might

impact many others. Organizations are viewed as open systems, continually interacting
with their environment. They are in a state of dynamic equilibrium as they adapt to

environmental changes. Senge (1990) describes systems thinking as: understanding

how our actions shape our reality. If I believe that my current state was created by

somebody else, or by forces outside my control, why should I hold a vision? The central

premise behind holding a vision is that somehow I can shape my future, Systems

thinking helps us see how our own actions have shaped our current reality, thereby

giving us confidence that we can create a different reality in the future. Systems theory

as applied to the study of this research, is that the problems encountered by Bureau of

Fire Protection firefighters in the Province of Capiz. As identified, we identified 3 major

problems that the Bureau of Fire Protection encounters namely: Human Resources,

Material Resources and Financial Resources. Systems theory suggests that one area of

difficulty may have an impact on another area that will result to another difficulty.

Thus, this theory, System Theory are relevant to the present study for the reason

that it could help shed light on the Level of Capability of Bureau of Fire Protection in

Responding Emergencies Basis for Intervention Program.

Conceptual Framework

The major concept of this study focused on Level of Capability of Bureau of Fire
Protection in Responding Emergencies Basis for Intervention Program.

Figure 1. The Conceptual Framework of the Study

The conceptual Framework is consisting the ideas of the input and output of the study.

The input pertains the Level of Capability of Bureau of Fire Protection in Responding

Emergencies Basis for Intervention Program and the output which pertains the

implication that will draw from result of this study.

INPUT

Level of Capability of Bureau of

Fire Protection in Responding
Emergencies Basis for Intervention
Program.

OUTPUT

Implication
Level of Capability of Bureau of Always Sometimes Rarely Very Never
Fire Protection in Responding rarely
Emergencies Basis for Intervention
Program.

1.Insufficient inspection equipment

2. Lack of personnel for
implementation of Fire Prevention
Programs.
3. Uncooperative Establishments
owners.
4. Insufficient financial and
Logistical Support.
5. Political intervention in the
implementation of Fire Prevention
Program.
6. Lack of communication
equipment.
7. Lack of investigative gear and

equipment for fire safety inspection

8.implementing a program for

safety awareness in the classroom
9. conducting a program in SK
Barangay for the safety awareness
10. In what way can you assure all
the community members that they
have the benefit of emergency
services and preparedness
planning?
11. providing emergency response
services and plans
12. Providing security, safety
and technological
hazard information
to all members of the
community
13. Is help quickly when there is a
disaster?
14. teaching the people on safe
practices, accident prevent and
emergency response
15. Educate the public
on their roles and
responsibilities in
preparedness and during
emergencies
16. ensuring establishments
comply with safety protocol and
awareness
17. Lacking needed manpower for
personnel
18. Slow fire response due to
Physically unfit fire personnel.
19. Poorly maintain fire trucks in
Responding several fire incidents.
20. Old or rusted fire hose.
21. Lack of fireproof uniforms.
22. Old or dilapidated fire trucks.
23. Lack of investigative gear for
Fire investigation.
24. Inadequate communication
Equipment.
25. Outdated equipment.
26. Fire personnel do not have
extensive knowledge to treat fires
according to specific chemicals
used in fire fighting
27. Fire fighters do not undergo an
Upgrading program such as
responding to HAZMAT or CBRNE
incidents.
28. Lack of fire hydrants present
Near or on fire incident.
29. The first fire team to arrive
coordinates with the Incident
Commander.
30. All responding personnel wear
appropriate Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE)