Showing posts with label firemen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label firemen. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Residential Fires March, 2024

This is a reported list of residential fires in the Philippines for March, 2024. The Bureau of Fire Protection is on record saying the fire codes does not apply to residential areas which is why so many of them go up in flames during a fire. Being made of light materials all it takes is one spark to cause massive devastation. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/559843/2-injured-after-fire-hits-house-in-brgy-labogon-mandaue-city

Two were injured in an early morning fire that broke out in a residential area in Sitio Chicos, Barangay Labogon, Mandaue City early morning on Sunday, March 3.

According to a report by the Mandaue City Fire Station, the fire started at around 4:52 a.m. in a house owned by Fortunato Managbanag.  It was raised to first alarm.

The fire was placed under control at 5:13 a.m. and was put out at 5:15 a.m.

According to the report, two individuals sustained injuries as they were trying to flee the fire site.

They were identified as Jimrod Bica, who sustained an abrasion on his right knee, and Zophia Chua, who had an abrasion on her left and right wrists.

Damage caused by the early morning fire in Brgy Labogon was estimated at P156,000.

Mandaue City fire investigators are yet to determine the cause of the Labogon fire.


https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/899330/fires-hit-3-bulacan-towns-over-the-weekend/story/

Separate fires occurred in Bocaue, Plaridel, and San Rafael towns in Bulacan, damaging dozens of homes and a warehouse on the first weekend of Fire Prevention Month.

According to a 24 Oras Weekend report by Jamie Santos on Sunday, a fire gutted a residential area at Sitio Bihunan, Barangay Biñang 1st in Bocaue on Saturday night.

Over 50 houses and some 50 families were affected in the incident. No casualties were reported as of posting time.

The blaze quickly spread due to the strong winds. The houses were made of light wooden materials.

Residents in Sitio Bihunan said they heard an explosion shortly before the fire began.

"May sumabog. Eh 'di siyempre, nagtakbuhan kami," said one of the victims.

(Something exploded. Of course, we ran.)

"May babae akong nakausap. Nagsimula raw sa kuryente, sa wire. Siguro nag-spark. Ayun, nagdire-direcho. Lumaki iyong sunog sa lakas ng hangin," said the barangay captain.

(I was able to talk to a woman who said the fire started from electrical wires. Looks like these sparked, then spread due to strong winds.)

Responders had difficulty controlling the fire, which reached the first alarm at around 6 p.m. Saturday.

In Plaridel, a warehouse for motorcycle parts caught fire at an industrial park in Barangay Parulan at about 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Both fires were declared out early by early Sunday morning. Authorities are investigating the incidents.

Meanwhile, GMA Integrated News Bulletin reported Sunday that a grass fire occurred near a fireworks factory in Barangay Maronquillo, San Rafael.

Explosive materials outside the factory were affected, although the structure itself was undamaged.


https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1914279/4-dead-1-hurt-in-cavite-town-fire

Four people died and one was injured in a fire early Tuesday, March 5, that gutted at least five houses in Tanza, Cavite.

The Tanza Fire Station said in a report furnished by Police Region 4A that the blaze broke out at 11:54 p.m. on Monday, March 4, in a residential area in Barangay Biwas and was put out at 2:39 a.m. the next day.

The report identified the casualties as Teresita, 68; Anthony, 39; Gerrone Owen, 12; and Gemille Anthea, 5, all surnamed Domingo.

One Jeni Domingo, suffered body surface burn and was taken to Tanza Specialist Hospital for proper medication.

The report did not provide details on the family relationship among the victims.

Citing witnesses, the fire investigators said the blaze started on the second floor of Domingo’s house.

The property damage was placed at around P9 million.

Investigation was ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1914330/3-hurt-as-fire-hits-houses-in-las-pinas-city

Three people were injured as fire burned houses in Las Piñas City on Tuesday afternoon, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said.

The blaze that occurred in Barangay Elias Aldana reached the first alarm at 1:23 p.m. and escalated to the second alarm just two minutes later, the BFP noted.

In less than 10 minutes, it reached the third alarm and the fourth alarm at 2:20 p.m., the BFP also said.

A fire at the fourth alarm means that flames have already affected around eight to nine houses.

Firefighters were able to place the blaze under control at 3:04 p.m., and eventually extinguish it at 3:22 p.m.

According to BFP, it has so far counted three people injured from the incident: a 26-year-old male, who suffered a 1st degree burn on his right forearm; a 58-year-old woman, who lost consciousness; and a 22-year-old woman who, experienced difficulty breathing and dizziness.

The BFP said it has not monitored any fatality from the blaze.

A total of 21 firetrucks responded to the scene.

The BFP said an investigation is underway.


https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1914867/fire-in-quezon-razes-3-houses

A fire that was possibly caused by faulty electrical wiring burned three houses in Gumaca town in Quezon province on Tuesday, March 5, police said.

The blaze started around 12:45 p.m. on the second floor of the house owned by Nestor Hular in Barangay San Vicente, the police said in a report Wednesday, March 6.

Because the house was made of light materials, the blaze quickly spread and burned two more adjacent houses owned by Shiela and Angelo, both surnamed Hular. The report did not provide details on the family relationship among the three house owners.

Local firemen were able to put off the fire 35 minutes later.

Fire investigators suspected that the blaze was caused by defective electrical wiring after one of the victims saw flashing wires before the blaze broke out.

No casualties or serious injuries were reported in the fire incident.

The property damage was placed around P220,000.


https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/03/09/2339191/300-families-homeless-quezon-city-fire

At least 300 families were left homeless after a fire hit a shantytown in Quezon City on Friday.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)’s National Capital Region field office said the fire started at around 5:05 a.m. and reached second alarm.

Chief Inspector Marvin Mari, the Quezon City fire district’s chief operations officer, said the fire originated on the third floor of a shanty along 1st Camarilla street in Barangay San Roque.

“The flames spread quickly because the houses were made of light materials,” Mari said in an interview over GMA News.

Arson investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire, which destroyed an undetermined number of houses.

A staff at the barangay hall said in a phone interview that over 300 families were displaced in the fire. They were relocated to an evacuation center.

Classes were suspended at the Camarilla Elementary School, Dona Josefa Elementary School and Aguinaldo Elementary School, which were near the area of the fire.

Firefighters were able to douse the fire at 7:43 a.m., the BFP said.

The barangay hall staff said they have not received any report of people who were injured in the fire.

The BFP said 18 fire trucks responded to the scene.


https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/8/fire-hits-neighborhood-in-malibay-pasay-2327

A fire broke out at a residential area in Malibay, Pasay City on Friday night, according to a report from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

Initial information disclosed that the fire was first reported at 8:27 in the evening at a neighborhood in Apelo Street, Barangay 157.

The fire reached the second alarm by 8:44pm and was extinguished at 10:27pm.

No casualties were reported in the incident. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/12/400-families-lose-homes-in-mandaue-city-fire
More than 400 families were displaced by a huge fire in Barangay Looc, Mandaue City on Tuesday noon, March 12. 

The fire affected two areas, Sitio Bantayan sa Hari and Sitio Under The Bridge, said Looc barangay captain Raul Kevin Cabahug.

Several houses on stilts built under the old Mactan-Cebu bridge were razed.

Cabahug said the area was also hit by fire last year.

Data from the Mandaue Public Information Office showed that as of 5 p.m., a total of 444 families or 1,537 individuals were affected by the fire.

The fire started at 12:12 p.m. It was raised to third alarm at 12:22 p.m. and was declared under control at 12:42 p.m. Fire out was declared at 2:16 p.m.

The fire spread quickly as most of the houses were built close to each other.

The bridge was also temporarily closed to traffic as the thick smoke caused zero visibility in the area.

Aside from personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection, private tugboats and the Philippine Coast Guard also helped put out the fire.

Rubber boats were also used to rescue some residents from their burning houses.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/03/15/2340716/mandaluyong-fire-2-dead-hundreds-homeless

Two persons died and at least 150 families were left homeless when a fire broke out at a residential area in Mandaluyong City on Wednesday night.

Arson probers said the fire in Barangay Poblacion started at 11:51 p.m. and reached first alarm.

The fire destroyed around 50 houses before it was doused by firefighters before 2 a.m. yesterday.

Firefighters said they recovered the bodies of a 15-year-old girl and her six-year-old brother during mopping-up operations.

A 22-year-old woman was treated by first-aid responders for lacerations on her face.

Probers said the fire originated on the second floor of a two-story house. The cause of the fire is still being investigated.

Damage to property was placed at P9 million.

The displaced residents are taking shelter at an evacuation center.   

https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/15/minor-2-women-hurt-in-valenzuela-fire

Two women and a minor were hurt in a fire that struck a residential area in Barangay Lingunan, Valenzuela City, on Friday, March 15.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), injured were Meann Del Rosario, 32, who sustained first-degree burns on her left shoulder and arm; Caroline Okay, 50, who sustained first-degree burns on the right arm, and a two-year-old boy who sustained first-degree burns on his forehead.

The fire, which started at 8:36 a.m., quickly escalated to the second alarm at 8:40 a.m.

Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control at 9:01 a.m., and it was extinguished by 9:29 a.m.

As of writing this, authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire.


https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/16/3-hurt-100-families-displaced-in-tondo-fire

Three people, including a volunteer firefighter, were hurt while around 100 families were displaced in a fire that broke out in a residential area at the corner of Quirino Street and Herbosa Street in Tondo, Manila on Friday night, March 15. 

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said that a 20-year-old Moriones Fire and Rescue volunteer sustained a laceration wound on his hand, while a 34-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman both suffered first-degree burns. 

They were immediately treated and are now in good condition.

The BFP said the fire started at 10 p.m. and was immediately raised to the first alarm at 10:06 p.m. and second alarm at around 10:13 a.m. 

After an hour, the fire was declared under control at 11:24 p.m. and was extinguished at around 11:48 p.m. 

Arson investigators said around 20 houses made of light materials were burned, affecting over 100 families or 200 individuals. 

On Saturday, March 16, the affected residents went back to their houses to check if there were items they could still use.

Probers said the residents are temporarily staying at the barangay covered court.

They are still conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the fire and the estimated cost of damage.


https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/18/700-families-now-affected-by-alabang-fire

The number of families affected by a huge fire in Barangay Alabang on March 17 rose to 700, according to the Muntinlupa City government. 

Mayor Ruffy Biazon announced the new tally during the flag-raising ceremony at the Muntinlupa City hall on March 18. 

Based on the initial reports by the Muntinlupa City Fire Station and Muntinlupa City Department of Disaster Resilience and Management, the fire started at about 4:48 a.m. in Mariategue and Joaquin Compounds in Wawa, Alabang. 

The fire, which lasted for nearly five hours, reached the second alarm at 7:22 a.m. before it was put under control at 9:06 a.m. and put out at 9:42 a.m. 

The affected families are now staying at two evacuation sites: Alabang Elementary School and Pedro E. Diaz High School. 

The Muntinlupa Social Services Department continued the mapping operation in the fire site to determine the number of families affected. 

Biazon immediately ordered the provision of food and basic needs for the families. 

The city government also announced that classes will be held at the schools being used as evacuation sites. 

The school operations are not affected by this, according to the Muntinlupa Schools Division Office. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/19/3-hurt-in-qc-fire-2

Three persons were hurt when a fire broke out in a residential area in Barangay Damayan Lagi, Quezon City, on Tuesday, March 19. 

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) identified the injured as Manny Abayon, 31, a resident of Barangay Damayan Lagi, Quezon City, who sustained a laceration on his left foot; Donis Mamano, 33, who sustained laceration on his left foot and was brought to Quezon City General Hospital (QCGH), and Jun Jun Olalla, who sustained laceration on his left hand.

The BFP said the blaze was raised to the first alarm at around 10:44 a.m. and was elevated to the second alarm at 10:49 a.m.

The fire was raised to the third alarm by 10:55 a.m.

The blaze quickly reached the fourth alarm by 11:01 a.m., and escalated to the fifth alarm by 11:04 a.m.

Authorities said the fire was raised to Task Force Alpha by 11:38 a.m.

Firefighters were able to put the fire under control at 12:21 p.m.

It was extinguished by 1:39 p.m.


https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/19/fire-hits-residential-area-wareshouse-in-tondo-manila

Seven people, including five firemen, were hurt in a fire that destroyed houses and a warehouse on Benita Street in Barangay 186, Tondo, Manila on Tuesday, March 19.

BFP said that its three personnel sustained lacerations.

Injured were Fire Senior Inspector (SINSP) Charles Bacoco who suffered a laceration on a right middle finger, and two Senior Fire Officer I (SFO1) who sustained sustained lacerations on the palm and left thumb, respectively. 

A 30-year-old fire volunteer was reportedly beaten by the residents for unknown reason while responding to the fire. The other fire volunteer experienced suffocation. 

Meanwhile, a 51-year-old man sustained a laceration on his left toe and a 21-year-old woman suffered minor burns on both feet.

They were all immediately assisted and given medical treatment.

BFP said the fire started at around 1:50 a.m., reached the first alarm at 1:53 a.m. and the second alarm at 1:59 a.m. 

Firefighters were able to put the fire under control after almost 10 hours at around 11:22 a.m. 

It was extinguished at around 4:33 p.m.

Arson investigators said that two houses were fully gutted while one house was minimally damaged, displacing over 15 families. 

It added that a warehouse of assorted garments was heavily gutted.

As of this writing, firefighters have yet to determine the estimated amount of damage to property and the cause of the blaze.


https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/22/2-fire-volunteers-hurt-600-families-displaced-in-tondo-fire

Two fire volunteers were hurt while around 600 families were left homeless by a fire that gutted houses in Tondo, Manila on Thursday night, March 21. 

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said a 17-year-old fire volunteer sustained lacerations on his right middle finger, while 30-year-old fire volunteer sustained a puncture on his right foot. 

The BFP said the fire started at around 10:34 p.m. from a temporary housing building in Barangay 105, Aroma Street, Tondo.

The fire was raised to the first alarm at 10:36 p.m. and was elevated to the second alarm at 10:39 p.m.  

It escalated to the third alarm at 10:51 p.m. and quickly reached the fourth alarm at 10:57 p.m. 

Authorities said the fire was raised to the fifth alarm at 11:19 p.m. 

They were able to put the fire under control on Friday, March 22, at 12:44 a.m.

 It took almost five hours before authorities officially declared the fire out at 5:26 a.m. 

The BFP said the fire razed over 200 houses, of which 140 were totally damaged and 60 were partially damaged. 

The fire allegedly started from the second floor of a two-story house in Building 29 where around 1,800 individuals were affected. 

At least P6.5 million was the estimated cost of damage to property, the BFP added.

There were reports that some residents broke a fire truck's windshield. 

The cause of the fire is still being investigated. 


https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/21/fire-hits-mandaluyong-residential-area

Five people were hurt in a fire that hit a residential area in Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City on Thursday, March 21, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said.

The BFP said the blaze started at 8:58 a.m. and has already reached the second alarm at 9:02 a.m.

Firefighters declared fire out at 9:47 a.m.

Arson investigators are still determining the cause of the fire and the amount of damage to property.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2024/03/24/news/19-families-lose-homes-in-malabon-fire/1938273

Nineteen families lost their homes to a fire that hit a residential area in Malabon City early Sunday, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) said.

The CDRRMO said the blaze occurred around 4:30 a.m. along C. Arellano Street in Barangay Ibaba. It was contained after two hours.

"Luckily, no one was reported injured during the fire as firemen as well as fire volunteers managed to secure the area and control the fire before it could spread and burn more houses," a CDRRMO personnel said.

City Administrator Alexander Rosete said Mayor Jeannie Sandoval ordered all concerned local departments to extend assistance to the affected families.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/24/50-families-affected-in-tondo-fire-2350

A fire broke out in a residential area in Capulong Road 10 Tondo, Manila Sunday evening, affecting 50 families.

Bureau of Fire Protection Station 1 Commander Ronald Lim said more or less 30 structures were destroyed, with an estimated damage of P750,000. 

Although there were no fatalities reported, one civilian was injured due to difficulty in breathing but was immediately given medical attention, according to Lim. 

"[C]hallenge po maliit po yung eskinita natin sa loob pero sa pagtutulungan po ng Bureau of Fire at ng mga volunteers, napasok po agad natin yung loob – na-contain agad yung fire," he said. 

The fire was raised to first alarm at 7:59 p.m., second alarm at 8:04 p.m., and escalated to a third alarm at 8:09 p.m. because most structures were made of light materials. 

It was brought under control at 8:49 p.m., and was declared fire out at 9:26 p.m. 


https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/23/fire-hits-homes-in-valenzuela-quezon-city

Two fires hit residential areas in Valenzuela City and Quezon City on March 22 and March 23.

According to the Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP), the fire in Barangay Mapulang Lupa, Valenzuela City reached the first alarm at 12:12 a.m. Saturday, March 23.

The blaze was raised to the second alarm at 12:20 a.m.

Firefighters put the fire under control at 12:52 a.m. and extinguished at 1:10 a.m.

Prior to the Valenzuela fire, a residential area in Barangay Pinyahan, Quezon City was also hit by a blaze on Friday night, March 22.

BFP said the fire started at 11 p.m. and escalated to second alarm by 11:08 p.m.

The blaze was placed under control at 11:51 p.m. and extinguished at 12:43 a.m. on March 23.

Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the two fires.

 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/03/27/2343636/fires-leave-2-hurt-100-families-homeless

Two people were injured and around 100 families were left homeless after fires broke out in two cities in Metro Manila on Monday.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-National Capital Region said chefs Erickson Silvestre, 27, and Nelson Mabilin, 49, of the Red Rhino restobar in Mandaluyong City were treated for first-degree burns on their bodies after a gas leakage caused a fire.

The fire at the restobar in Barangay Highway Hills occurred at 5:48 p.m., the BFP said in a report.

Meanwhile, around 100 families were displaced after a two-hour fire broke out in a shantytown in Barangay Damayang Lagi, Quezon City yesterday afternoon.

A staff at the barangay hall said around 100 families or 355 people were relocated to an evacuation center.

There were no casualties in the fire, based on data from the barangay hall.

Probers are conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.

That is 20 reported incidents for March. Remember, these are only the major fires reported in the national media. Residential fires are up all across the nation and they do not all make the news. This is the tip of the iceberg concerning the real situation in the Philippines. 

Thursday, February 13, 2020

Firefighters Armed With 9mms But Without Proper PPE

I don't usually post a lot about firemen but it seems firemen have been behaving rather silly recently.  First there was the fireman who killed his colleague in a drunken fit at a Christmas party last year. Then there were the firemen who hung a sign on their truck notifying that in case of fire to call someone else because the truck is under repair.

Those same firemen who got into a fight last Christmas, their station is being rebuilt.



There is absolutely nothing silly about a new fire station being built. That's a good thing.  But look at the sign that's posted. 


"To our valued clients."  I don't think I'd call anyone who needs the assistance of firefighters clients. That's what a hairstylists calls the people who she regularly works on. It's just silly. Get rid of the salutation and the sign would be fine. It's a common case of over-politeness. Filipinos are guilty of being overly polite to the point of obsequiousness from sales clerks watching your every move to people repeatedly calling you sir.

Perhaps the silliest thing involving firemen is DILG Secretary Año's pledge to arm them on the orders of Duterte.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/725719/ano-says-firefighters-must-have-firearms-this-year/story/
"Maintaining law and order is not an easy task. Despite the decreasing crime rate in the country, having the BFP's firefighters in our peace and order campaign is a boost and welcome addition in ensuring a safe and secure country," Año said. 
He further said arming the BFP personnel was in line with President Rodrigo Duterte's previous directive of "engaging the help of the BFP to maintain law and order and not to limit themselves to fire-fighting." 
"The BFP also does law enforcement functions because they enforce the Fire Code so they already have some experience in this regard," Año said. 
"The BFP can help ensure public safety, as a support to the PNP (Philippine National Police) and AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) but of course, their primary responsibility is still preventing and suppressing fire and enforcement of the Fire Code," he added. 
According to Año, the firefighters will be armed with 9mm pistols, adding that the BFP already requested funds from the Department of Budget and Management to finance the purchase of the said weapons.
Prior to the issuance of firearms, firefighters will undergo marksmanship and gun safety training, Año ensured.
Pretty silly, huh?  More like downright stupid.  What ridiculous reasoning.
"The BFP also does law enforcement functions because they enforce the Fire Code so they already have some experience in this regard," Año said. 
Every government agency is tasked with enforcing laws.  Why not arm agents of the BIR, the BuCor, the DFA, or how about about Forest Rangers?
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1829982
Cimatu then called on lawmakers to pass a measure that would establish an enforcement bureau within the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and an enabling law that would authorize forest enforcers to carry firearms.  
Cimatu, a former chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), had been appalled by the brutal death of a forest ranger from Nueva Ecija who died two days after he was shot several times by an unknown assailant. 
Forest Ranger Ronaldo Corpuz, who was assigned at the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) in the municipality of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, died of multiple gunshot wounds. 
Corpuz was shot by an unidentified assailant while he was closing the gate of their house around 7:35 p.m. of October 25. He was declared dead on October 27 at the Premier Hospital in Cabanatuan City. 
Prior to his death, Corpuz, together with members of Bantay Gubat, conducted a surveillance operation against timber poaching and illegal transport of forest products in Barangay Portal in Rizal town on October 22.
Illegal loggers pose a deadly thereat to forest rangers. Several have been killed in recent years. As for firefighters, there was an incident in 2015 when firefighters were attacked by those they were helping.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2015/03/18/news/national/2-die-in-malabon-fire-firemen-attacked/170304/170304/
A still undetermined number of firefighters were injured, some allegedly stabbed after some irate residents allegedly assaulted them at the height of the fire. 
Volunteer firefighters had to withdraw from the area after residents started pelting them with rocks, which broke their firetruck’s windshield. 
Responding firemen explained that they were hampered by residents who swooped down on their fire trucks and grabbed the firefighting equipment so they could train the hoses on their houses.
At least no one was killed.  The same can't be said for two firemen who were having a drinking spree at a colleague's house.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/09/11/1194521/2-firemen-dead-bataan-shooting
In a report, Chief Inspector Arnel Dial, Orani police chief, identified the victims as SFO2 Charlie Mendoza, 52, and FO2 Enrico Caraan, firefighters in Dinalupihan and Orani towns, respectively. Wounded was Arlyn Lopez, 47. 
Dial said Mendoza and Lopez went to Caraan's house where they had a drinking spree. Mendoza and Lopez later had a verbal tussle, leading to a fistfight. 
Dial said Caraan tried to pacify the two, but Mendoza reportedly drew his gun, fired at Caraan and Lopez, and then shot himself in the abdomen.
Drunken firemen killing each other. How is it so many drinking sprees end up in bloodshed in the Philippines? It's not just firemen. It's men from all walks of life. Friends drinking themselves silly and then killing each other is an all too common news story in the Philippines. And to top it all off it seems everyone is either packing heat or a pistol is within easy reach. 

How about instead of arming firemen the government provides the proper PPE so they can do their job?

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/08/12/1942614/50-firefighters-dont-have-complete-protective-gear-bfp
Around 50 percent of firefighters of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) do not have a complete set of personal protective equipment. 
BFP spokesman Chief Inspector Jude delos Reyes said yesterday about half of their bureau’s 25,000 personnel risk their lives combating fires without complete protection. 
“There are still about 50 percent of the firefighters na hindi kumpleto yun PPE,” he said in an interview over dzBB. 
Among these equipment are helmets and boots, said Delos Reyes. Also included as PPEs are respirators, gloves, blankets and gas masks. 
The lack of protective equipment is one of the problems which they are hoping will be addressed by the current administration. 
The BFP is also short of manpower as it needs around 11,000 firefighters to cover the entire country. 
President Duterte earlier said he wants to arm firefighters so they can help fight communist rebels and other lawless elements. 
Delos Reyes said Duterte’s statement is a welcome development as they also need to protect themselves during firefighting operations where they deal with uncooperative civilians who would forcibly take their water hoses and use these for themselves.
Duterte wants firemen armed so they can fight commies while the BFP spokesman says civilians who want to commandeer the hose are the bigger threat. Either way without helmets, boots, and gas masks firefighters are unable to do their job. Providing them the proper equipment should be the Duterte administration's priority, not arming them with guns.

Thursday, January 2, 2020

Drunk Firefighters

I take pictures of just about everything. Whenever I see something that strikes me I break out my camera and take a snapshot. Like this fire station.


What's so interesting about this you ask? Nothing. It's just an ordinary fire station and those are ordinary fire trucks.  But what's around the corner? Let's take a look.


The unknown beckons.  Let's plunge into it.


Why look at that! It's a bench with 5 empty bottles of Tanduay scattered about. These firemen cannot even clean up their trash after a rousing drunk. Why are they drinking on the job anyway? What if a call comes in and they have to go fight a fire? A drunk fireman is no good. They could also end up killing each other.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089372
A personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) here died while another was wounded after they stabbed each other following the station’s Christmas party that ended around 2 a.m. on Monday. 
The fatality was identified as Isaac Cabana and the wounded, Cornelio Silva, who both have the rank of Fire Officer 3. 
Initial police investigation showed the two firefighters remained at the venue, just in front of the city fire station on San Juan Street, Barangay 8, after the celebration ended. 
Maj. Sherlock Gabana, chief of Police Station 2, said Cabana sustained a wound in the neck and was declared dead at a hospital. 
Silva is being treated for abdomen and back wounds, he added. 
Gabana said their other colleagues saw them “hugging” each other, and then found the two already injured.
You can see in the forefront of this picture two cases of 1 litre size Red Horse beer. You can also see a bottle on the table. Hard to tell exactly what it is but it's probably alcohol. 

Why do Filipino firemen and policemen drink on the job and store alcohol in the staff kitchen? Why is this allowed? Who is monitoring these people? Just another problem in this problematic country.