Senator Mark Villar has introduced legislation that would require all Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel to be certified as medical first responders and emergency medical technicians in order to reduce the risk of death among fire victims and fellow responders.
Villar argued in support of Senate Bill No. 1860 that because BFP personnel are the first to arrive at potential fire victims, they must be competent to administer emergency treatment before the victims get transported to the hospital.
On Wednesday, a similar bill was approved on its third and final reading in the House of Representatives.
The proposed bill would amend Section 4 of Republic Act No. 11589, also known as the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act.
According to SB 1860, the BFP Modernization Program must include the establishment of specialized fire protection services in each region and city, such as a Search and Rescue Force, Fire and Arson Investigation Unit, HAZMAT (hazardous materials) units, and Security and Protection Units, as well as an Emergency Medical Service (EMS).
At least one uniformed personnel, regardless of rank, must be designated as an emergency medical technician to supervise fire officers responding to medical emergencies.
An emergency medical technician, as defined in this act, is a trained and certified pre-hospital emergency care provider capable of providing extensive pre-hospital care, endotracheal intubations, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation; administering medication orally and intravenously; and using an automated external defibrillator and other complex emergencies medical equipment.
Once enacted, all newly appointed BFP personnel must attend and complete the fire basic recruit course, "including advanced first aid and emergency first response," before becoming certified as medical first responders.
