NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 1860
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23 FEB-9 P2:02
RlTEiVED BY:
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
REQUIRING PERSONNEL OF THE BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION TO BE 
CERTIFIED MEDICAL FIRST RESPONDERS AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL 
TECHNICIANS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 4 OF REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 11589, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "BUREAU OF FIRE 
PROTECTION MODERNIZATION ACT"
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Fire poses serious dangers to humans - burns, acute injuries, smoke inhalation, 
and even death. In severe cases, dealing with fire injuries should be transported to 
ER right away. In his crucial situation, there must be someone competent enough to 
administer first medical treatment in order to ascertain the survivability of the victims. 
The responding firefighters are in the best position to provide this much needed first 
aid.
For this reason, firefighters are needed to be adept to emergency response and 
preparedness including emergency medical response to victims.
This bill seeks to require personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to be 
certified as medical first responders and emergency medical technician. This shall 
enhance the capability of the BFP to provide assistance, thus, reducing the risk of 
death of fire victims and fellow responders. If this bill is enacted into law, BFP 
personnel shall undergo and complete the fire basic recruit course which shall include 
emergency medical course. Upon completion of this course, an appropriate 
certification as medical first responder shall be issued accordingly.
For this reason, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
MARK A. VILLAR


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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
23 FEB-9 P2:03
RECEIVED BY;
SENATE
S. No. 1860
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
REQUIRING PERSONNEL OF THE BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION TO BE 
CERTIFIED MEDICAL FIRST RESPONDERS AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL 
TECHNICIANS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 4 OF REPUBLIC ACT 
NO. 11589, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION
MODERNIZATION ACT"
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
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Section. 1. Short Title. - Title III, Section 4 of Republic Act No. 11589, is hereby
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amended to read as follows:
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"SEC. 4. BFP Modernization Program. - The BFP shall, in coordination with the
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DILG, establish and implement the BFP Modernization Program which shall be geared
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towards the enhancement of the capability of its personnel and acquisition of state-of-
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the-art fire prevention, fire suppression, fire investigation, and emergency medical and
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rescue services facilities and equipment. The BFP Modernization Program shall consist of
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the following components:
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a) Fire Protection Service. - x x x
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b) Force Restructuring and Organizational Development. - x x x
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c) Capability, Material, and Technology Development. - x x x
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d) Specialized Services Development. - The BFP Modernization
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Program shall establish specialized fire protection services such as high-rise
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building fires, forest fires, aircraft and airport fires, chemical fires, disaster 
rescue services, and emergency medical services. It shall also include the 
establishment of a Search and Rescue Force, HAZMAT units. Fire and Arson 
Investigation Unit, and Security and Protection Unit in every region and city, 
as well as an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) in every municipality and 
city: Provided, That each EMS unit to be established shall be comprised of 
an ambulance with adequate medical equipment, and qualified and trained 
personnel: PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR SHALL 
DESIGNATE IN EVERY FIRE STATION, AT LEAST ONE (1) UNIFORMED 
PERSONNEL PER SHIFT, REGARDLESS OF RANK, TO ACT AS AN 
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN WHO WILL SUPERVISE FIRE 
OFFICERS IN RESPONDING TO MEDICAL EMERGENCIES.
AS USED IN THIS ACT, AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN 
REFERS TO A TRAINED AND CERTIFIED PRE-HOSPITAL EMERGENCY CARE 
PROVIDER WHO IS CAPABLE OF PERFORMING EXTENSIVE PRE-HOSPITAL 
CARE, ENDOTRACHEAL INTUBATIONS AND CARDIOPULMONARY 
RESUSCITATION; ADMINISTERING MEDICATION ORALLY AND 
INTRAVENOUSLY; AND USING AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR 
AND OTHER COMPLEX EMERGENCY MEDICAL EQUIPMENT:
Provided, further. That every Security and Protection Unit (SPU) shall 
be composed of not more than fourteen (14) personnel, comprised of two 
(2) team leaders with the rank of at least Fire Inspector and team members, 
who shall undergo a neuropsychological examination and periodic trainings: 
Provided, furthermore. That BFP personnel with the rank of Senior Fire 
Officer III may be given priority to be appointed as SPU team member: 
Provided finally. That THE SPU shall be provided with appropriate 
equipment to protect firefighters during fire suppression, containment of 
HAZMAT and CBRNE materials, fire investigation, and in the performance of 
all other acts pertinent to their mandate; and


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e) Human Resource Development. - The modernization program shall 
include the development of a comprehensive training program for BFP 
personnel and BFP volunteers, including mandatory training for new 
entrants and newly-appointed personnel of the BFP, and BFP volunteers, 
and establishment of training facilities.
In order to accelerate the Personnel Development Program, the BFP 
shall encourage and promote volunteerism and shall develop guidelines for 
the enlistment and training of BFP volunteers. Internationally accredited 
training consultants and advisers may be hired if the BFP determines that 
there is no Filipino citizen who is competent, able, and willing to provide the 
same expertise.
The BFP shall, in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) 
and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), 
provide necessary trainings for its EMS, which include infection control and 
exposure, emergency vehicle response, incident rehabilitation, critical 
incident stress management, response to HAZMAT, response to mass 
casualty incidents (MCI), and response to vehicle accidents, among others.
UPON APPOINTMENT, A FIRE OFFICER 1 (FOl) OF THE BFP MUST 
UNDERGO AND COMPLETE THE FIRE BASIC RECRUIT COURSE (FBRC) 
WHICH SHALL PROVIDE THE FUNDAMENTAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 
NECESSARY TO MEET THE MINIMUM STANDARDS OF FIRE PERSONNEL 
COMPETENCE, INCLUDING ADVANCED FIRST AID AND EMERGENCY FIRST 
RESPONSE. THE COURSE DESCRIPTION AND COMPONENTS OF THE FBRC 
SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL RULES AND 
REGULATIONS ON MANDATORY TRAINING, LOCAL SCHOOLING, 
SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS WHICH ARE ISSUED BY THE BFP. UPON 
COMPLETION OF THE FBRC, THE APPROPRIATE CERTIFICATION AS 
MEDICAL FIRST RESPONDER SHALL BE ISSUED ACCORDINGLY.


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Sec. 2. Should any part of this Act be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the
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other parts or provisions hereof not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force
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and effect.
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Sec. 3. All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, implementing rules and
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regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
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repealed or modified accordingly.
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SEC. 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
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Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,