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Resolving fire ground issues
Fire ground conflict in the Philippines was a all time issue plague the career vs. volunteer units for a long time. Volunteer units which is approximately 70 % more than the gov't counterpart - majority of which in the national capital region which is Metro Manila. Although, we get the job done most of the time. Fighting fire side by side with our career counterparts has the cold and uneasy feelings is still there. But the question of efficiency, liability, dormant resources, injuries, and accountability that lingers behind the scenes that one day will blow up to our faces in which this time won't matter if it's volunteer or career or not. A lesson learned already happen in a 3 day fire at Robinson Mall, Baclaran, Pasay, Metro Manila in January 2008. The media got a hold of it and wondering why it took 3 days to put out that fire.
In spite of this cold war, some volunteer in state of maturity. Recognizes our government fire service mandate to provide service to our community despite their resources short fall and corruptions. And some gov't officials in the fire service recognizes our effort and much better resources to fight fires.
So this activity is one of those meetings in which will be a step further working as a unified team. Our brigade was invited to join the 4th Bureau of Fire Protection - NCR / Volunteer Fire Brigade Fellowship. Last Jan. 30, 2009 National Capital Region Headquarters, Cubao, Quezon City. We are one of the two VFB's from Pasig City which were invited by our City Fire Marshall to join this meeting.
We were served a superb dinner by our host the BFP-NCR Headquarters personnel and after that. We and other volunteers units from other areas of national capital region got down to business to an open forum with our counterpart to discuss the issues that effect the career firefighters versus volunteer firefighters in every fire ground operations.
Issues were tackled like: Incident Command System, Coordinations, Communications, Training and Logistics. Those are areas that effect a typical fire ground operations.
Present on the main discussion table are respective Fire Chiefs of different volunteer fire brigades, Presidents or representatives from mother units like, Fire Control 7, United and others. The government counterparts headed by Regional Director of BFP-NCR and his command staff, and plus the 17 Fire Chiefs of respective cities and municipalities.
The discussion on this meeting is preliminary for further consultation for the new Fire Code of the Philippines which is Republic Act 9514 to be sign into law by Pres. Arroyo soon. This New Fire Code will replace the 30 year old or so Presidential Decree 1185. On the new provision of this new fire code somewhat controversial in our end which, that a good working relationship with BFP and volunteer unis must be finalize and forged before it will come into law.
As volunteer units present, we are privileged be part of this process and looking forward for more meetings with our government counterparts.
In spite of this cold war, some volunteer in state of maturity. Recognizes our government fire service mandate to provide service to our community despite their resources short fall and corruptions. And some gov't officials in the fire service recognizes our effort and much better resources to fight fires.
So this activity is one of those meetings in which will be a step further working as a unified team. Our brigade was invited to join the 4th Bureau of Fire Protection - NCR / Volunteer Fire Brigade Fellowship. Last Jan. 30, 2009 National Capital Region Headquarters, Cubao, Quezon City. We are one of the two VFB's from Pasig City which were invited by our City Fire Marshall to join this meeting.
We were served a superb dinner by our host the BFP-NCR Headquarters personnel and after that. We and other volunteers units from other areas of national capital region got down to business to an open forum with our counterpart to discuss the issues that effect the career firefighters versus volunteer firefighters in every fire ground operations.
Issues were tackled like: Incident Command System, Coordinations, Communications, Training and Logistics. Those are areas that effect a typical fire ground operations.
Present on the main discussion table are respective Fire Chiefs of different volunteer fire brigades, Presidents or representatives from mother units like, Fire Control 7, United and others. The government counterparts headed by Regional Director of BFP-NCR and his command staff, and plus the 17 Fire Chiefs of respective cities and municipalities.
The discussion on this meeting is preliminary for further consultation for the new Fire Code of the Philippines which is Republic Act 9514 to be sign into law by Pres. Arroyo soon. This New Fire Code will replace the 30 year old or so Presidential Decree 1185. On the new provision of this new fire code somewhat controversial in our end which, that a good working relationship with BFP and volunteer unis must be finalize and forged before it will come into law.
As volunteer units present, we are privileged be part of this process and looking forward for more meetings with our government counterparts.
Add a Comment
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Comment by Michael Vito on February 4, 2009 at 7:37pm
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Actually the new fire code generally it's an upgrade. The new fire code, expanded its mission - expanded HAZMAT monitoring & prevention, higher penalties for building / fire code violations, better fire prevention, the career guys can shut down establishment if need be, in which they don't have to wait for other agency to do it. Their modernization, and conforms to the latest international standards and plus, the controversial part in one Article is about career FF vs volunteer FF relations.
Thanks Tony, the history of CFA like 50 years ago before that. Gave me an idea what will be the direction should be heading in our case for gov't FF and vol FF relations.
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Comment by Tony P on February 4, 2009 at 5:03pm
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As I've already said to you Michael, this sort of get-together is great - it's needed! Your career and volunteer brigades must work together for the community benefit.
I for one don't have an issue with there needing to be a law passed to get you all on the same track. It's exactly what was done here years ago.
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Hey Luke, thanks for dropping by. That thread mutual-contempt not aid almost resembles that situations but the difference is. Both career and volunteer units responded together to the scene especially on first-due area. And most of the time, we beat them to it.
If your wondering why it come to that. Once upon a time in the 1950's or 1060's. The fire service in the government is the most neglected agency. Fire trucks broke down, understaff and worst corruptions. That FF's who are accused of extorting money to homeowners or business owners which almost affected by fire, then train hoses to fight fires. The community got fed up and established their own volunteer fire brigades/department. Since then, we grew and grew in number of units. And the community wholeheartedly supported VFB's units and acquired bigger engines, tankers and better equiped FF's than our local career counterparts. Fight fires efficiently and ironically we don't get paid to that. In the process, government FD's got embarrassed and their ego got hurt time and time again.
But what happens, when we have too much VFB's units nowadays. From a blessing in which - I hate to say it - a down fall. I have seen volunteer's units become too proud and some got an attitude of being superfiremen but really they become the other way around - like cowboys. Some government counterparts who are fortunately had their turn in their higher posts. Wanted to make a difference, love the fire service as a whole. Wanted to see all of us - work together.
I hope going to that road will be smooth.
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Comment by lutan1 on February 3, 2009 at 11:04pm
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Should add, good to see the maturity of some in trying to resolve the issues Michael. Well done!
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Michael, I wish you the best of luck in this process. Its a shame that a law dictates how you will work side by side. Will this really solve the problem, if there is that much cold and uneasy feelings. Good luck my friend.
Don, maybe it needs to be done. The last thing you want is a repeat of the situation being discussed in this forum-
http://www.firefighternation.com/forum/topics/mutual-contempt-not-aid
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Thanks Don, It is inevitable that we are heading to this direction. That we as a volunteer units must not operate like cowboys. So what matters now, before the law is in the process of finalizing. We should have a strong voice in it. We don't want this law will someday will back fire and kill the volunteer fire service in the end.
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Comment by Don Vuletic on February 3, 2009 at 10:46pm
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Michael, I wish you the best of luck in this process. Its a shame that a law dictates how you will work side by side. Will this really solve the problem, if there is that much cold and uneasy feelings. Good luck my friend.
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