REPRESENTATIVE Brian Raymund Yamsuan yesterday urged the newly appointed head of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to ensure that its personnel are equipped not only with adequate protective gear but also with knowledge on advanced firefighting and emergency response techniques, in line with the agency’s modernization initiatives.

Yamsuan also lauded the appointment of Fire Director Jesus Piedad Fernandez as the new BFP chief and expressed the hope that under the latter’s term, the agency would finally be able to end the perennial backlog of firetrucks in the country by ensuring transparency and a level playing field for all prospective suppliers in the BFP’s bidding processes.

Fernandez, who was previously designated by Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary (DILG) Jonvic Remulla as officer-in-charge of the BFP, replaced former fire chief Louie Puracan, who mandatorily retired in December last year.

“As we welcome the appointment of BFP Director Jesus Fernandez, we are also optimistic that under his leadership, the agency would be able to boost its modernization efforts, starting with providing each city and municipality with modern firetrucks and our firefighters with adequate protective equipment,” said Yamsuan, a former DILG assistant secretary.

“Fulfilling these goals should be complemented by continuous advanced training programs for BFP personnel to enable them to effectively carry out their responsibilities not only as firefighters but also as first responders during disasters and other emergencies. Ensuring that the emergency response capabilities of our fire personnel are on par with international standards should form part of the BFP’s modernization program,” added Yamsuan.

For instance, Yamsuan said a proposed measure in the House of Representatives aims to require BFP personnel to be certified medical first responders and emergency medical technicians, which Fernandez could initiate on his watch as part of the agency’s upskilling programs for its personnel.

Yamsuan was referring to House Bill (HB) 6512, which seeks to require BFP regional directors to designate in every fire station at least one uniformed personnel to act as emergency medical technician who will supervise fire officers in responding to medical emergencies. The measure was passed on third and final reading by the House in 2023 and transmitted to the Senate on the same year.

In other countries like the United States, many firefighters are also trained as paramedics or medical first responders, Yamsuan noted.

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Ryan Ponce Pacpaco