FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 963 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This measure seeks the establishment of a National Fire Science Academy 
(NFSA) which is envisioned to provide the highest quality training in the field of fire 
protection, fire crisis management, fire rescue operations, hazardous materials and fire 
prevention skills training to its various clients. The NFSA is envisioned to be a training 
institution committed to the pursuit of excellence through the provision of education, 
training, technology transfer and research and development (R&D). 
This measure also seeks the establishment of a National Fire Incident Reporting 
System (NFIRS) which is envisioned to be a national fire incident database. The NFIRS 
is envisioned to track residential fire fatalities and injuries, the nature and causes of 
such fatalities and injuries, and other factors regarding fires. This is a mandatory data 
collection system to be administered by the Bureau of Fire Protection and all fire 
departments in the country are mandated to· report all fire-related incidents and 
disasters to the National Fire Incident Reporting System in order to determine the 
causes and nature of fire occurrence in our country. 
It is a common incident in our country that lives are lost when firefighters arrive 
too late to address the complex problem of fire disaster. As such, with the installation of 
a National Fire Incidents Reporting System (NFIRS), local government units and various 
fire departments in the country will be evaluated as to their response time and 
effectiveness in responding to fire incidents. Through this monitoring scheme, our fire 
fighters will be aware of their ineffectiveness and hopefully improve their performance in 
performing·their task. 
Finally, this measure is dedicated to the team of individuals who overcome the 
odds in their quest to protect lives and property in their respective community. In most 
instance, many of these fire fighters suffer burns and injuries in the performance of their 
duties. It is for these countless heroes that we dedicate this bill. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly req~~~ 
... 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
, 
SENATE 
S. No. 963 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM ON FIREFIGHTING, 
ESTABLISHING 
THE 
NATIONAL 
FIRE 
SCIENCE 
ACADEMY, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of 
the Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
Short Title. -- This Act shall be known as the "National Fire 
Science Academy Act of 2010". 
SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
to promote, enhance and improve the effectiveness of the country's fire fighting 
machinery in order to protect and preserve the life and welfare of its citizens and protect 
their properties. 
Towards this end, the State shall institutionalize and establish a world class fire-
fighting training academy in order to effectively save lives and protect the property of its 
citizens during fire-related disasters. By providing for a specialized and state of the art 
training facility for fire fighting, the state performs its role as the protector of the lives 
and property of its constituents. 
Furthermore, the State shall provide the mechanisms to maintain, upgrade and 
improve the scientific knowledge, technical skills and competence (llf every fire fighter in 
the country with the purpose of helping them become more effective in addressing fire 
related disasters. 
SEC. 3. 
Establishment of a National Fire Science Academy (NFSA). -
There is hereby established and created a National Fire Science Academy (NFSA), 
hereinafter referred to as the Academy, under the Department of Interior and Local 
Government (DILG), which is envisioned to provide the highest quality training in the 
1 


field of fire protection, fire crisis management, fire rescue operations, hazardous 
materials and fire prevention skills training to its various clients. 
The 
National Fire Science Academy (NFSA) shall be a training institution 
committed to the pursuit of excellence through the provision of education, training, 
technology transfer and research and development (R&D). The Academy shall maintain 
a proactive environment wherein the latest methods and technologies in fire-fighting and 
fire science are applied to provide state-of-the-art and hands-on training to develop the 
individual competencies of our fire-fighters. The Academy is envisioned to provide 
technical and practical training that is unmatched in the industry by using real 
extinguishing agents to put out real fires that burn real fuels. 
SEC. 4. 
Purpose and Objectives. - The National Fire Science Academy 
(NFSA) shall be established to serve the following objectives and purposes, namely: 
a} 
To train individuals, communities, organizations, local government units 
and volunteer fire brigades in the latest techniques, technologies and methods in the 
field of fire fighting and fire rescue operations; 
b} 
To assist and help the various units of the government in the event of 
major fire-related incidents and disasters; 
c} 
To train the national government's pool of fire fighters and provide them 
with the latest fire science technologies and methods in order to address the fire 
incident problems in the country; 
d} 
,To train, accredit and monitor the various volunteer fire brigades in the 
country in order to empower them to perform their jobs effectively; 
e}· 
To serve as a Fire Emergency Response Training Center for fire-related 
incidents and disasters in the country; 
f} 
To serve as a research arm of the government in the field of fire science 
and fire related topiCS and subject matters; 
g) 
To advocate for the elevation of the standards of public service in the field 
of fire fighting in the country; 
h) 
To foster and maintain highest ideals of integrity and professional 
competence in the practice of the fire fighting profession; 
i} 
To provide an avenue where the various fire fighters and fire brigade 
volunteers can discuss and learn the latest methods and techniques in effectively 
addressing fire related disasters; and 
j) 
To serve as an authoritative source of information on issues concerning 
fire science and fire fighting. 
2 


SEC. 5. 
Powers and Functions. • The National Fire Science Academy 
(NFSA) shall have all legal powers appertaining to a juridical person, particularly the 
following power: 
a) 
to sue and be sued; 
b) 
to contract and be contracted with; 
c) 
to hold real and personal property as may be necessary for its mandated 
purposes; 
d) 
to mortgage, lease, sell, transfer, convey and otherwise dispose of the 
same; 
e) 
to solicit and receive public and private donations and contributions 
related to fire science and fire fighting; 
f) 
bequest; 
g) 
to accept and receive real and personal property by gift, devise or 
to levy and collect minimal dues and fees from its students and trainees 
for its services; 
h) 
to adopt a seal and to alter the same; 
i) 
to have offices and conduct its affairs in the Metro Manila area and 
elsewhere; 
j) 
to make and adopt by-laws, rules and regulations not inconsistent with the 
laws of the Philippines; and 
k) 
to do all such acts and things as may be necessary or proper to carry into 
effect and promote the purposes for which it was organized, 
The seal and emblem of the National Fire Science Academy (NFSA) shall be 
kept in its national office, 
, 
SEC. 6. 
Courses and Training Instructions . . The Academy shall provide 
safe, effective and responsive training and consulting services, It shall provide training 
courses in the following fields, namely: Industrial Fire Fighting, Crisis and Emergency 
Management, Incident Command and Response, Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting, 
Industrial Rescue, Hazardous Materials, Instructor and Train - the - Trainors Programs 
and Specialty Training and Customized Training Programs, 
a) 
Industrial Fire Fighting - The NFSA shall train firefighters from all over 
the country. based on globally accepted best practices and applying hands-on approach 
to training instructions, The NFSA training methods will focus on live fires, tactical drills 
and advanced techniques in fire fighting, This field of speCialization will cover, among 
others, topics in industrial firefighting, industrial fire brigade leadership, strategy and 
tactics, mine fire brigade, shipboard and offshore fire rescue, 
3 


b) 
Crisis & Emergency Management - This field of specialization will focus 
on effective command, control and communications at any fire related emergency in 
order to ensure the safety of the rescuers, victims and the public. The Academy shall 
train industries, organizations and governments in the preparation, management and 
recovery from fire crisis and emergencies. The training will focus on incident 
simulations, command systems, strategies and management tactics for fire crisis 
ranging from natural disasters to man-made fire-related emergencies. The areas that 
will be covered shall include, among others, incident command and emergency 
response; hazardous materials emergency management, crisis and emergency plans 
and programs; and developing and implementing crisis management drills and 
exercises. 
c) 
Aircraft Rescue & Fire Fighting (ARFF) - The Academy is envisioned to 
be the leading institution in the country that provides for aircraft fire fighting training. 
The Academy shall utilize intense live-fire rescue simulations that will create real-world 
training scenarios that will enable rescuers to achieve superior levels of fire fighting 
skills. The Academy's training will be designed to meet all current international aviation 
, 
regulations. and requirements for airport firefighters in responding to aircraft fire 
emergencies. 
d) 
Hazardous Materials - The Academy shall provide state-of-the-art 
training for the disposal, containment, confinement and decontamination of hazardous 
and toxic waste materials, consistent with the standards set forth by our existing 
environmental laws. The National Fire Science Academy shall adhere strictly to all 
pertinent environmental laws, which govern live-fire training operations and reclamation 
of firewater. The NFSA shall value the environment and shall make every effort to 
operate an environmentally sound training facility. 
e) 
Rescue Training - The Academy shall provide instructions and field 
practice in a safe, realistic and highly challenging environments in order to instill in their 
trainees the proper knowledge and skills to perform rescue operations in a safe and 
effective level that complies with international standards. Areas that will be covered in 
this training shall include, among others, structural high-angle and structural confined-
space rescue; mine, trench and excavation rescue; and advanced rescue techniques. 
f) 
Instructor and Trainor's Training Courses - The techniques for 
delivering effective instruction and training to others are emphasized in these courses. 
4 


This area will cover training in communication, instructional phases, motivation, and 
behavioral objectives. The NFSA is envisioned to be an institution that will offer one of 
the finest emergency response programs and training facilities in Southeast Asia. The 
NFSA will be designed to challenge even the most seasoned personnel, serving private-
sector 
industries 
including 
petrochemical, 
aviation, 
mining, 
technology 
and 
transportation as well as local government units and government agencies. 
g) 
Specialty and Customized Training Programs - The Academy shall 
also provide fire fighting trainings to companies and private organizations which require 
specialized fire-fighting training that is tailored to their particular operations and needs. 
SEC. 7. 
Personal Conduct of Students and Faculty - The National Fire 
Science Academy (NFSA) is an educational institution that strives to maintain a safe 
and healthy environment and which promotes learning in a professional and challenging 
setting. Students are expected to exercise tolerance and to respect and celebrate 
differences among individuals. At no time will the academy tolerate: 
a) 
Harassment of any kind 
b) 
Racial, religious or sexual slurs 
c) 
Inappropriate language 
d) 
Indecent or disorderly conduct, rough play 
e) 
Damage to property 
f) 
Any action which jeopardizes the comfort, safety or health of others 
Such actions or behaviors may result in disciplinary measures or dismissal from 
the academy with notification made to the sponsoring agency or employer, as will be 
provided under the implementing rules and regulations of this Act. 
SEC. 8. 
NFSA Academic Board. - The Academic Board of the Academy 
shall be composed of the Administrator, the Dean of the Corps of Professors, the Head 
Training Officer and the Heads of the Departments. 
The Administrator and the Head Training Officer shall be appointed by the 
President of the Republic of the Philippines from the current officers of the Bureau of 
Fire Protection (BFP) of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). 
The Dean of the Corps of Professors shall be appointed from the permanent 
professors who have served as Heads of Departments of instructions at the Academy. 
The Academic Board shall have the power to confer certificates and diplomas to 
all trainees, upon the satisfactory completion of the approved course of studies, under 
such rules and regulations as the Secretary of Interior and Local Government may 
prescribe. 
5 


Other degrees that may be needed in the future will be conferred, provided that 
the Academic Board shall determine these degrees in consonance with the needs of the 
country. The Academy will develop these courses and the necessary expertise as the 
need arises. 
SEC. 9. 
Sources of Funds. -
The funds of the National Fire Science 
Academy (NFSA) shall be derived from dues and assessments, donations, bequests, 
contributions of its students and trainees, as well as income from conventions, 
seminars, corporate trainings and other fund raising activities. 
The funds of the NFSA shall be deposited in banks as designated by the board. 
SEC. 10. 
Prohibition Against Hazing. - Subject to the approval of the 
Secretary of Interior and Local Government, the Administrator of the NFSA shall issue 
rules and regulations preventing hazing, and prescribe dismissal, suspension and other 
adequate pLlnishment for violation thereof. 
For 'purposes of this Act, the term "hazing" shall mean any unauthorized 
assumption of authority by a trainee whereby another trainee suffers or is exposed to 
any form of injury, indignity, humiliation, hardship or oppression or deprivation or 
abridgment of the basic rights of the trainee. 
A trainee dismissed from the Academy for hazing shall not be readmitted as a 
trainee and shall be ineligible for appointment as a firefighter officer in the Bureau of 
Fire Protection (BFP). 
SEC. 11. 
Budget. - The initial appropriations necessary for the establishment 
of the National Fire Science Academy (NFSA) shall be charge to the appropriations of 
the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). Improvements necessary for 
the operation and maintenance of the Academy shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 12. 
National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). -
There is 
hereby created a National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) which will be 
maintained and managed by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) of the Department of 
Interior and Local Government (DILG). The NFIRS is envisioned to be a BFP-DILG 
national fire incident database. It is envisioned to track residential fire fatalities and 
injuries, the nature and causes of such fatalities and injuries, and other factors 
regarding fires. 
6 


All fire departments in the country are hereby mandated to report all fire-related 
incidents and disasters to the National Fire Incident Reporting System in order to have a 
national database on the causes and nature of fire occurrence in our country. 
The National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) will map and determine the 
nature and causes of fire related incidents per municipality, city, district, province and 
region in order to determine the most effective fire prevention methods and techniques 
that will be used to prevent the occurrence of fire tragedies. 
Among the major functions of the NFIRS are the following: 
a) 
To create a database system that will gather all information concerning 
fire-related incidents in the country in order to come up with a regional and district 
mapping on the incidence of fire occurrence in the country; 
b) 
To conduct fire response time analysis in order to determine the 
effectiveness and responsiveness of our country's fire fighters; 
c) 
To analyze and assess the nature of the fire problems in the country; and 
d) 
To conduct various types of qualitative and quantitative researches 
needed to effectively combat the fire problem in the country. 
The NFIRS shall put up a mechanism to process and analyze information from 
various sources and organizations and come up with a uniform reporting system for 
easy understanding of the public. 
The NFIRS shall come up with a quarterly report on the state of fire incidents in 
the country for the information of the public. NFIRS report shall contain information 
regarding fire incidents and the nature and prevalent causes of fires in the country. 
Furthermore, the NFIRS shall put up a system of information validation in order 
to determine the validity and accuracy of the fire incident reporting that is fed into the 
system. The BFP shall establish programs to ensure checks for data integrity in the 
information 'management of fire related data gathered by the National Fire Incidents 
Reporting System (NFIRS). 
SEC. 13. 
Appropriation for the National Fire Incident Reporting System 
(NFIRS). -
For the initial appropriations necessary for establishing the National Fire 
Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) database, the initial amount of Twenty Million Pesos 
(Php 20,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) of 
the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). Thereafter, the amount 
necessary to maintain and operate the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) 
shall be included in the annual general appropriations of the agencies of the 
government involved in the implementation of the provisions of this Act. 
7 


SEC. 14. 
Monitoring the State of Fire Incidents in the Country. -
The 
Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), through its National Fire Incidents Reporting System 
(NFIRS), is hereby mandated to conduct a comprehensive study on the state of fire 
incidents in the country, taking into account the geographic and regional locations, 
climactic conditions, demographic characteristics, and socia-economic status of the 
areas covered under the study, taking into account the fire incidents in other countries. 
The comprehensive study on the state of fire incidents in the country shall include 
the following aspects, namely: 
(1) 
The socio-economic, demographic and geographic characteristics of the 
region or area; 
(2) 
,The extent with which our present pool of fire fighters are able to address 
the fire incidents in a particular location or region; 
(3i 
The current supply of fire fighting equipment, tools and machinery of our 
present fire fighters in the country; 
(4) 
The effectiveness of the services being provided by the volunteer fire 
brigades in our country; and 
(5) 
The medium-term and long-term prospects for the modernization of our 
fire fighting machinery and gears to effectively address the fire incidents in our country. 
Furthermore, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) shall conduct a comprehensive 
study on the effectiveness and efficiency of the services being given by our volunteer 
fire brigades in assisting the government in addressing fire incident problems in the 
country. This study will also analyze the effectiveness in providing incentives and 
awards systems for these volunteer fire brigades. 
Finally, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) shall also conduct a comprehensive 
study on the effectiveness of the courses being offered by the National Fire Science 
Academy (NFSA) and identify other viable and cost-effective modes of training 
programs in order to improve the effectiveness of the functions of the National Fire 
Science Academy. 
Within two (2) years from the date of effectivity of this Act, the Bureau of Fire 
Protection (BFP) shall make a report to both Houses of Congress on the results of the 
studies conducted by said agency for policy implication, in aid of legislation, in order to 
further proactively address fire incident problems in the country. 
SEC. 15. 
Annual Conference on Fire Fighting. - The National Fire Science 
Academy (NFSA), in coordination with the various stakeholders in the field of fire 
fighting, is hereby mandated to conduct an Annual Fire Fighting Conference which will 
be partiCipated by the various players in the fire fighting profession, including volunteer 
fire brigades, government fire fighters, trainors in the field of fire rescue, government 
8 


policy makers, fire fighting facilities suppliers and providers and various ancillary service 
providers involved in the profession of providing fire rescue operations. 
The Annual Fire Fighting Conference is envisioned to be an avenue where 
various players in the field of fire fighting will share their knowledge on the issues and 
trends relating to the medium and long term prospects of the fire fighting profession in 
the country. 
The proceedings of the National Fire Fighting Conference will be published and 
be made available to the public. 
SEC. 16. 
Implementing Rules and Regulations (lRR) . . Within six (6) 
months from the date of effectivity of this Act, the Department of Interior and Local 
Government (DILG) shall promUlgate necessary implementing rules and regulations in 
the accreditation of volunteer fire brigades, in determining the award system mechanism 
and in implementing the various provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 17. 
Separability Clause . • If any provision of this Act or the application 
of such provision to any person or circumstance is held invalid for any reason, the other 
provisions or their application to other persons or circumstances not affected thereby 
shall remain in full force and effect. 
SEC: 18. 
Repealing Clause • All laws, decrees, orders, rules, regulations 
and issuarices or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or 
amended accordingly. 
SEC. 19. 
Effectivity Clause . • This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
9