Upgraded Fire Control Operations Center

                 Last March 2010, the Fire Control Operations Center (FCOC) transferred to its new location and dramatically, tremendous changes were introduced by the top management in support to the Disaster Preparedness Campaign of the government. The BFP Operations Center (OpCen) is the hub of the bureau’s day to day organizational operations.  No other office has a 24/7 facility that rivals it. It provides the agency together with its seventeen (17) BFP Regional Offices and clienteles, comprehensive and reliable linkages around the country, around the clock. Readily available at the center  were the following equipment: generator, emergency lights, one(1) transistor radio, twenty-five (25) handheld radios, two(2) telefax machines, and four(4) desktop computers. A big help also for the monitoring system are the four (4) televisions and two (2) LCD monitors for the live and online broadcast of the PHIVOLCS, DOST/PAG-ASA, NDRRMC and other weather satellite feedback globally. Evidently these gadgets help forecast the location or area of responsibility of a forthcoming typhoon even if it hasn’t reached the territory of the Philippines. Provided with these warnings, regions to be affected are placed on heightened alert thereby, ensuring readiness and timeliness of response during calamities.

                 Among technology functions, the OpCen is home to the bureau’s network operations center. The electronically accessed and wi-fi ready Service Desk is controlled and monitored by a computer technician acting as the administrator. FCOC is responsible for monitoring typhoons and other disasters, alerting regions at national level during calamities, multi-agency operational coordination center and managing information/ resources available   BFPwide. During typhoons and other disasters, our very own Chief, BFP, DIRECTOR ROLANDO M BANDILLA JR acts as the Over-all Commander of the Command Post together with the relentless support of the Operations family.

Oplan Paghahanda Laban Sa Sakuna (Oplan Paghalasa)
                  The OPLAN provides policies, guidelines and procedures that BFP responding units and contingency personnel will follow in times of calamities and other emergency incidents. Further, this will enable the BFP to meet the following objectives:

1. To establish a unified action within the Bureau in case of calamities, particularly during typhoons and other related incidents;
2. To have a uniform system of operational response, rehabilitation efforts and reporting;
3. To strengthen capability of the organization both on human and logistical resources;
4. To effectively respond to the call of affected areas;  and
5. To establish a close and effective coordination among all concerned responding units from the lower units, different government and non-government agencies.

PREPAREDNESS is the best lesson learned.

                  In support to the Disaster Preparedness and Operational Capability of the BFP, the Special Operations Division, NHQ is lucky to be the recipient of new Rescue Truck, Rubber Boat (inflatable) and Steel Boat last July 2010. Readiness does not only involve availability of equipment but more importantly the manpower itself is the best equipment. To be thoroughly equipped during disaster and other types of calamities, various trainings such as HAZMAT, Chemical Weapons,  Urban Search and Rescue were also undergone by the group to enhance their skills and knowledge.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AMENDED FIRE CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES                

                 In sync with the implementation of RA 9154 known as the Amended Fire Code of the Philippines, the Bureau  conducted an inspection of the adoption of the said Code in Region 9 on June 02-05, 2010. The team made station visits and assessed each unit’s adoption and implementation of the Amended Fire Code. In these visits, the different issues and concerns regarding the implementation of the Amended Fire Code were raised and given possible solutions.

INTER-COUNTRY ANTI-TERRORISM ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

                 In the Bureau’s international collaborations a propos for the fight against terrorism, the Office of the Deputy Chief of Operations, headed by CSUPT Bearis, Jr., hosted the assessment on the In-country Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program by the US embassy last January 21, 2010 at the BFP Conference Room, BFP National Headquarters. Various US officials visited the Bureau and discussed in length with BFP Officers and personnel the issues and concerns regarding the said program.