Module 1

Matter – it is anything that occupies space and has mass and shape. Matter as to state
can be solid, liquid, gas or plasma.

PROPERTIES OF MATTER RELATED TO HEAT

Physical Properties
• Specific gravity- the ratio of weight of a substance to the weight of an equal
volume of water; the higher the specific gravity the higher temperature is required
to burn a matter
• Vapor density- the weight of a volume of gas composed to the weight of a volume
of dry air at the same temperature and pressure. The higher the vapor density the
higher energy is required to burn a matter
• Vapor pressure- the force exerted by the molecules on the surface of liquid at
equilibrium. Pressure is produced when a liquid is heated and molecules of hot
gases collides.
• Specific heat- refers to the heat capacity of substance per mass; it is the
energy(heat) required per weight of substance to increase its temperature by one
unit of temperature. It varies on state of matters.
• Temperature- refers to the degree of thermal agitation of matter; several
temperatures if reached by matter will cause reaction of change; o Melting Point-
temperature that if reached by a solid will change it s phase to liquid.
o Boiling Point- temperature that if reached by a liquid it produces a vapor
pressure equal to atmospheric pressure.
o Ignition Point- it is the temperature that must be reached by a matter in
order to start the fire.
o Fire Point- it is the minimum temperature that must be reached by a liquid
in order to release vapors that supports combustion.
o Flash Point- the temperature at which the liquid will release enough
amounts of vapors for combustion
• Burning rate-– it is the measurement of linear combustion rate of a compound or
substance; it is measured in length over time

Chemical properties

1|Page
 • Heat of combustion- refers to the amount of heat released by a matter during
oxidation in which organic fuel is converted to water and carbon dioxide; it
depends on type of atoms that consists the matter.
• Flammability/Combustibility – refers to the ability of a matter to burn; it is also the
property whether a matter easily ignites or not depending on specific heat,
physical properties etc.

CHANGES IN MATTER IN RELATION TO HEAT

Matter undergoes changes when energy is applied; the decrease/ increase of
energy cause changes to state of matter or its components. It can be physical change
or chemical change. When the form is changing it is physical while if the composition is
changing to form new substance it is chemical

Physical change occurs in the following process;

• Fusion (Melting)- solid to liquid
• Freezing-liquid to solid
• Evaporation- liquid to gas
• Condensation- gas to liquid
• Sublimation- solid to gas
• Deposition – gas to solid

Process that causes Chemical Change

• Endothermic Reaction- it is the chemical change that undergoes whereby a
matter absorbs heat
• Exothermic Reaction- it is the chemical reaction that takes place whereby a
matter releases heat
• Oxidation- it is the chemical change or reaction that takes place upon introduction
of oxygen.
• Pyrolysis- it is the chemical decomposition of matter in reaction to heat.

COMBUSTIBLES
Combustible Matter- it is the matter that react to heat and burn.

Combustibles Solids
There are common combustible solids found in the scene these are;
1. Wood
2. Textiles
3. Plastic

Wood- a material came from tree and used for construction of house and some furniture.

There are factors that affect the combustibility of woods, these are

2|Page
 ✓ Physical form- wood’s mass, volume, density and other physical form affects its
combustibility. The greater mass, volume, and density the greater the energy (heat) is
required to burn the wood
✓ Moisture content- it refers to water inside the wood, moist defers the burning because it
absorbs heat; once the wood is dry it shall start absorbing heat for it to burn.
✓ Heat of Conductivity- it is measured by rate which heat is absorbed and flow through the
material. Since wood is a poor conductor slow lateral flow of heat occurs.
✓ Rate/period of heating – it covers the temperature of heat source and time of exposure to
such source; is a wood is massive and denser, it requires high heat and prolong exposure
for it to burn.
✓ Rate of combustion – it is the measurement of linear combustion rate of a compound or
substance. It is measured in length over time; pressure, temperature and moisture
content affect it.
✓ Ignition temperature- it is the temperature required to ignite a wood (roughly from 200
degree centigrade and above; some variables affect the ignition temperature like specific
gravity, physical characteristics, air supply etc.

Plastics – or polymers are solids composed of various materials like colorants, plasticizers,
petroleum etc. there are may forms of plastics but the following are commonly used;
1. Polyethylene (PETE)
2. High density polyethylene (HD PE)
3. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
4. Low density polyethylene (LD PE)
5. Polypropylene (PP)
6. Polystyrene (PS)
7. Others (acrylic, polycarbonate, polyactic fibers, etc.)

Groups of Plastics
✓ Group A Plastics- with heat of combustion much higher than ordinary combustibles and
burning rate higher than group B
✓ Group B Plastics- with heat combustion higher than ordinary combustibles and burning
rate higher than group C nut not higher than group a
✓ Group C Plastics- with heat combustion with similar heat of combustion and burning rate
of ordinary combustibles

Textiles and fibers- fibers are strands that once process will make a thread; threads once weave
will make a textile of fabric used for cloths.

The following affects the burning of textiles

• Chemical Decomposition- fibers will burn depending on the content that
comprises such; pulp, wool, and silk, are common
• Fabric finish- decorative materials adds to the combustibility of fabric; synthetic
fabric that undergoes thermal shrink reduces the exposure to heat while loose
fabric increases exposure.

3|Page
 • Weight- if a fabric is massive, it requires more heat to ignite but if it is light it
requires less heat to ignite.
• Tightness of weave- air passes through spaces in fabric making it susceptible to
burning as supported by air supply; if the weave is right air is restricted and
ignition can be delayed
• Flame retardant treatment – some fabrics have chemicals that repel combustion.
These chemicals may cause the fabric not to burn and some once heated
shrinks the fabric or covers the spaces in the weave to limit the oxygen.

Liquid Combustibles

Liquids that burn may be classified as combustible or flammable; flammable liquids have
a flashpoint of below 37.8 degrees Celsius while combustible have a flashpoint of at or
above 37.8 degrees Celsius. The foregoing are typologies of flammable and combustible
liquids.

Flammable Liquids
Class I-A- liquids with flashpoint below 22.8 degrees Celsius & boiling point below 37.8
degrees centigrade
Class I-B- liquids with flashpoint below 22.8 degrees Celsius & boiling point at or above
37.8 degrees centigrade
Class I-C liquids with flashpoint below 22.8 degrees Celsius & boiling point below 37.8
degrees centigrade

Combustible Liquids
Class II- with flash point at or above 37.8 degrees Celsius & below 60 degree
Class III A- with flash point above 60 degrees Celsius & below 93 degree
Class III B- above 93 degree Celsius

Combustible Gas

Classification of Gas
1. Class According to Physical Properties
• Compressed Gas- gas that is pressed in the container that may produce pressure
when heated
• Liquefied Gas- gas that is in liquid form when confined in a container such as LPG
• Cryogenic Gas- a gas that produces rapid drop of temperature when released in
container

2. Class According to Usage

• Fuel Gas- gas that is use for burning
• Industrial Gas- gas that is used for manufacturing products
• Medical gas- gas that is used in health care facilities in treating patients

4|Page
 PROPERTIES OF CHEMICALS

Properties- these are the characteristics of chemicals as their nature and how those react to
various factors like temperature, environment and to other chemicals or matter.

Types of Chemical Properties

✓ Combustible Chemicals- chemicals that can be consumed by fire and will likely to burn
when heated.
✓ Oxidizing Chemicals- chemicals that can yield oxygen to support combustion, certain
types are classified too as combustibles
✓ Unstable Chemicals- chemicals that react violently beyond anticipation even though the
effects are established, its reaction takes place inconsistently.
✓ Air and Water Reactive Chemicals- chemicals that undergo chemical change and
reaction when exposed to air or mixed with water.
✓ Corrosive Chemicals- chemicals that corrode metals, it also causes scalding when in
contact with skin.
✓ Toxic Chemical- chemical that causes adverse effects to human body, the lethal property
of chemicals vary on human capacity and amount of chemical inhaled or ingested by the
person.
✓ Radioactive- chemicals that emit radiation and has unstable nucleus that can be
bombarded to produce enormous heat.

Module 2

5|Page
 3. A. Definition
Fire – the product of chemical reaction in which combustible materials burn at sufficient temperature
and sustained by oxidizing chemicals.

4. Elements of Fire
There are three elements of fire namely;
✓ Fuel- it is the combustible matter that is consumed by fire
✓ Heat- it is the thermal agitation of matter or increase of temperature at kindling point
✓ Oxygen- it is the element that sustains the fire

5. B. Combustion and Ignition

Ignition- it is literally means the start of fire; combustible matter will start to burn once it
reaches its certain temperature to produce fire, it Is called ignition temperature.
Combustion- it is the self sustaining chemical reaction producing energy or products
that cause more reaction of the same kind.

Other Forms of Combustion

✓ Flashover- it is the sudden and dramatic simultaneous combustion of all solid
materials in a room
✓ Roll over- it is the combustion of accumulated combustible gases in a room
✓ Backdraft- it is the sudden combustion that occurs upon the immediate introduction
of oxygen
✓ Fire storm- it is an intense fire during which rising air creates vacuum beneath
surroundings air rushes to fill the gap and forms extremely strong winds and
propagates the fire.
✓ Conflagration- an extremely large fire that consumes a quarter or a half of a city or
municipality

C. Propagation of Fire
Propagation means the manner on how the fire spreads or transfers, it has 3 means;
✓ Conduction- it is the heat transfer that occurs in solids in which heat transfer from
molecules to molecules
✓ Convection- it is the heat transfer that occurs in fluids(liquids and gases) in which heat
transfer from molecules to molecules
✓ Radiation- it is the heat transfer that occurs in vacuum in which heat travels in the
form of heat wave.

D. Phases of Fire
Fire undergoes 3 stages from growth to decay period
✓ Incipient/initial phase- it is the phase in which the fire starts, temperature rises and
small flames are produced.
✓ Free Burning Phase- it is the phase in which all materials are burning, flashover
occurs at this phase and serves as that phase where intensity is at its peak.

6|Page
 ✓ Smoldering Phase- it is the phase in which all materials are consumed by fire
oxygen and heat are released that yields to reduction of heat until such time it does
not burn at all.

6. E. Intensity and Magnitude

Intensity means the rate of fire’s temperature or how hot the fire is; it is the rate
of burning that varies in different conditions. Magnitude is the size of fire usually
indicated by height of flames and span of damage. These two are proportionate to each
other.

7. F. Ignition Point, Flash Point and Fire Point

Ignition Point- it is the temperature that must be reached by a matter in order to start
the fire.
Flash Point- it is the minimum temperature that must be reached by a liquid in order to
release vapors that supports combustion
Fire Point- the temperature at which the liquid will release enough amounts of vapors for
combustion

8. G. Chemical Properties of Fire

Endothermic reaction- it is the chemical change that undergoes whereby a matter
absorbs heat
Exothermic Reaction- it is the chemical reaction that takes place whereby a matter
releases heat
Pyrolysis- it is the chemical decomposition of matter in reaction to heat.
Oxidation- it is the chemical change or reaction that takes place upon introduction of
oxygen.

9. H. Products and Effects of Fire

There are certain products of fire that causes adverse effect to human body, these are

I. Types and Classes of Fire

According to Origin or Cause

✓ Providential/ Natural Fire- it is the fire caused by natural cause or act of God such as humidity,
sunrays, volcanic eruption etc.
✓ Accidental Fire- it is the fire caused by human error, neglect or imprudence.
✓ Intentional Fire- it the fire caused by deliberate act of man or incendiarism

According to Fuel
✓ Class A Fires- fires in which burning fuels are composed of wood based products and papers
✓ Class B Fires- fires in which burning fuels are composed of flammable liquids
✓ Class C fires- fires that are composed of electrical appliances
✓ Class D Fires- fires that are composed of combustible metals
✓ Class K fires- fires that are composed of kitchen products

7|Page
 According to Heat Source
✓ Chemical heat- fire caused by chemical reaction without the aid of ignition device; it is
usually caused by hypergolic reaction.
✓ Electrical heat- fire caused by electricity that includes overloading, overheating and short
circuit.
✓ Mechanical heat- fire caused by physical process that produces heat such as explosion of
compressed gas overheating of machinery and the like.
✓ Nuclear heat- fire caused by bombardment of subatomic particles of radioactive materials
such as plutonium or uranium.

According to Mode of Combustion

✓ Flameless Type – it is the type of fire that is not producing incandescent gas
✓ Flaming Type – it is the type of fire that produces incandescent gas called flames.

According to Phase of Combustion

✓ Condensed Phase (Glowing combustion)- it is the combustion that does not produce
incandescent gas due to less intensity of heat
✓ Gas Phase(Flame) – it is the combustion that produces incandescent gas
✓ Explosion- a combustion in which the process is confined to produce appreciable pressure
✓ Detonation-it is the combustion that occurs if the pressure reach a supersonic speed
producing shockwave

J. Flames

Flames are incandescent gases of fire; it is the product of pyrolysis and ignites upon reaching
ignition point. The color of flame varies in its gas component and temperature.

10. Typology of Flame

Based on color and completeness
• Luminous flame- an orange to red colored flame that deposit soot at the bottom of
vessel; it has a lower temperature and happens in incomplete combustion
• Non luminous flame- a blue colored one that never produces soot due to complete
combustion with high temperature

Based on Fuel and Air Mixture

• Premixed flame- the type of flame in which hydrocarbon is mixed with air before
reaching the flame zone
• Diffusion flame- the type of flame present when fuel is mixed with air at the flame
zone
Based on Smoothness
• Laminar flame – type of flame in which gas follows a smooth path; it occurs when the
fire is in thermal balance (state when the pattern of movement of fire is normal with
no interference to chain of chemical reaction)

8|Page
 • Turbulent flame- type of flame that has an unsteady swirl; it happens if there is
thermal imbalance (interference to the chain of chemical reaction happens)

Rection of Matter to Fire

During destructive fires, matters undergo dramatic physical and chemical changes and
practically described as follows
• Combustion and pyrolysis of materials leaving the ashes and produces fire gases &
smoke.
• Melting of non-combustible materials like steel and glass resulting to degradation of
physical strength
• Collapse of structure as a result of physical and chemical change of matters in the
burning structure.
• Generation of heat and eventually transmit such heat to another matter or structure
that may eventually burn.

Importance to the Practice of Fire Protection

By understanding the matters and behavior of fire it allows future firefighters to;
• Determine measures to prevent and control destructive fire
• Determine the kind of suppressing agent to extinguish the fire
For future investigators it helps to;
• Determine the heat source
• Determine the fuel used/consumed by fire
• Determine the cause by reconstruction the fire scene sceneario

Module 3

Products and Effects of Fire

9|Page
 There are certain products of fire that causes adverse effect to human body, these are
smoke, fire gases, flames and heat

TABLE OF FIRE PRODUCTS AND EFFECTS

PRODUCTS EFFECTS

Smoke- tiny solid particles produced ✓ Panic

by fire ✓ Low visibility
✓ Acute respiratory irritation
Fire Gases- gases that are produced ✓ Intoxication
by fire through pyrolysis ✓ Loss of consciousness
✓ Comatose
✓ Death due to asphyxia
Flames- incandescent gases of fire ✓ Burns- wounds caused by heat Types
of burns
➢ First Degree- blistering
and red discoloration of skin
➢ Second degree burn- exposure of
dermis without deep scarring
➢ Third degree- charring of skin and
deep scarring
Heat- thermal agitation of matter in ✓ Perspiration
which temperature rise at kindling ✓ Dehydration
point ✓ Heat shock
✓ Heat stroke
✓ Comatose
✓ hyperthermia

Discussion
Effects of fire gases
Gases from fire are harmful to humans, common is the carbon monoxide. Once
inhaled will cause the production of carboxyhemoglobin; a chemical that prevents
oxygen to be absorbed by human cells. Exposure of 1.3% carbon monoxide in
atmosphere is fatal to humans.

Effects of flames
Flames causes burn and the severity varies on the intensity and magnitude of fire
and the period of exposure to flame. As to severity it can be describe from 1st degree to
3rd degree.

Effects of heat

1|Page

10 | P a g e
 Heat that is beyond human threshold will be fatal. Temperature beyond 37.8
degrees centigrade is dangerous to human; at 43 degrees centigrade brain stops to
function that will lead to eventual death.

Life Exposure- the state in which a person is exposed to harm brought by fire and its
products.

Measures to prevent exposures

• evacuation from burning building
• use of personal protective equipment by fire fighter
• rescue of trapped occupants
• use of ventilation to avoid stacking of smoke

References

Fires in the Philippine Settings: A Study of its Technology and Investigation Techniques for
Criminology Students by Abis, Lapiña and Alma Jose

Fire Behavior and Arson Investigation by Leo Bustria

Kirk’s Fire Investigation, 5th Ed. By John De Haan. 2002. Pearson Educ.Inc. New Jersey

DISCLAIMER: The person who prepared this handout have no copyright to its content. Copyright
belongs to the respective owners of each content

11 | P a g e
MODULE 3-4 Subject: Fire Protection & Investigation
Title: Fire Safety
Prepared by: Voltaire L. Perales

11. Fire Safety

Fire safety is the totality of undertakings, process or systems that ensure persons and properties
against the effects of destructive fires.

3 E’s of Fire Safety

✓ Education- process of teaching fire safety to citizens

✓ Engineering- the application of engineering principles in fire safety such as development of fire
codes
✓ Enforcement- process by which compliance with the codes is ensured.
12. Education for Fire Safety
Community Fire Safety Education- it is the measure performed to educate the community in fire
safety using the following steps;

1. Conduct community analysis- evaluate and study the community within AOR and determine
problems in fire safety and needs.
2. Develop community partnership- fire department should have formal partnership in localities
with stakeholders (citizens, institutions, etc.)
3. Create intervention strategy- after the problems are identified, create strategies to respond to
problems. Support from local government is essential for this like funding, infra structures, etc.
4. Implement the strategy- after creating a strategy, implement such to effect intended outcomes
in fire safety.
5. Evaluate the result- assess the effectiveness of the strategy; lapses should be corrected and
continuing improvement of strategy must be made.

Other measures in for Fire Safety Education

• Fire prevention through civic organization
• Fire safety clinics and seminars
• Community events
• Safety education in the school
• Publicity program
• Media education
• Fire prevention month observance

13. Engineering for Fire Safety

Development of fire codes
Fire codes are laws that provides specific provision on fire safety in community, provides rules of
structural requirements for fire safety. The Philippines 1st Fire Code was the PD 1185 and was
repealed by the RA 9514 The Comprehensive fire Code of the Philippines of 2008. The City of Manila

12 | P a g e
has a City Ordinance on fire safety. The RA 9514 provides for comprehensive fire safety measures for
all stakeholders.

Performance based design

It is the engineering approach to design element of a building based on performance goals and
objective, engineering analysis, scientific measurement and quality assessment using accepted
engineering tools, methodologies and performance criteria.

14. Enforcement
The following are measures to enforce fire safety policies;
• Review of building plans by fire safety engineer
• Control of sales and use of product
• Structural control as means of enforcing codes
• Control of ignition source
• Control of occupancy
• Condemnation of unsafe structure
• Conduct of inspection of fire department

15. Fire Protection Organizations

There are organizations created for promoting fire safety.

The National Fire Protection Association

The NFPA is a nonprofit educational and technical organization devoted entirely to prevent loss of life
and property by fire and other hazards. It was founded on 1896 at Quincy, Massachusetts; its
activities are publishing technical codes, practices, manuals, model fire codes etc.

Other fire safety organizations

• International Association of Fire Chiefs
• International Association of Arson Investigator
• International Association of Fire Fighters
• Society of Fire Protection Engineers
• International Fire Service Training Association

16. Fire Prevention

Fire prevention- pertains to means employed to avoid the possibility of fire to occur

Measures in Fire Prevention in Houses and Institutions

✓ Seclusion of heat source from combustibles

✓ Use of non-combustible building materials & content
✓ Use of fire alarms and extinguishers
✓ Proper storage and disposal of waste
✓ Maintenance of electrical system
✓ Occupants’ awareness
✓ Fire safety education for occupants
✓ Compliance to fire code

13 | P a g e
17. Fire Suppression
Fire suppression- pertains to the undertakings or means employed to pacify the fire.
Methods of Suppression
✓ Cooling- it is the method employed to reduce the heat below the ignition temperature.
✓ Smothering- it is the method employed to separate or prevent the oxygen to interact and
support the fire.
✓ Separation of Fuel- it is the means employed by separating combustible materials from fire.
✓ Inhibition of chemical reaction- it is the means employed to prevent the combustion process
by simultaneously preventing the elements of fire to combine

18. Extinguishing Agents

Extinguishing agents- are chemicals used to suppress the fire, certain kinds are the
following;
✓ Water
✓ Carbon Dioxide
✓ Dry Chemical
✓ Dry Powder
✓ AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam)
✓ Halons

14 | P a g e
Module 5

THE BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION:

Republic Act (RA) 6975 otherwise known as the Department of Interior and local Government (DILG)
Act of 1990, an act where the Bureau of Fire Protection is thereby created in 1991 initially consisting
of the existing officers and uniformed members of the Fire Service of the Integrated National Police
(INP) as constituted under Presidential Decree (PD) No. 765. Every August of in a year from then
onward, Bureau of Fire Protection celebrates its anniversary standing as an independent agency from
the PC/INP.

Brief History of the Fire Service:

The history of MFD started on August 7, 1901 when the United States – Philippine Commission
organized then the Manila Fire Department, merely as part of the Department of Streets, Park, Fire
and Sanitation. However, the present organization came into existence when it was separated from the
former department. All equipment and apparatus relating to this distinct unit were turned over of F.R.
Dodge as the appointed Department Chief and J.W. Hoey as his Assistant. After the resignation of F.R
Dodge in the same year, Hugh Bonner, former Chief of New York City Fire Department was appointed
Fire Chief on December 28, 1901 but he actually assumed office on April 25, 1902 with Capt. Hoey still
as Deputy’ Chief. During his absence, Deputy Chief Hoey
assumed the position of Fire Chief.
At the time of Chief Bonner, the City’s fire fighting force
consisted of only 80 men and four Fire Stations namely:
Tanduay,Sta. Cruz, Paco and Intramuros Fire Stations.
The Department has four (4) engine companies and one
(1) hookand-ladder company. The early means of
receiving fire alarm was through the
telephone system, and in July 1902, the 80 boxes
Gamewell Fire Alarm System was established. The 5th
fire station at San Nicolas, Binondo, Manila was constructed during Bonner’s term. Upon Chief
Bonner’s resignation in 1907, he was succeed by Capt. Lewis Dingman and during his administration,
Tondo and San Lazaro Fire Stations were constructed. It was also during this time that the steam fire
engine and motor fire apparatus were introduced in the Department, replacing the out-moded horse-
drawn fire apparatus. When Chief Dingman resigned in 1919, Capt. Otis Vanderfordsucceeded him.
He was credited for the construction of Sta. Mesa Fire Station thus making eight the total number of fire
stations in the city until the outbreak of war. He resigned on October 18, 1935, a month before the
inauguration of the Philippine Commonwealth Republic. He was the last
American Fire Chief who served the Manila Fire Department.
On October 19, 1935, Deputy Chief Jacinto
Lorenzo became the first Filipino Fire Chief of Manila Fire Department. He was
responsible for reduction of duty schedule of the members of the uniformed
force division from the period of four (4) days straight service with 7hour day-off
and 15 hours night-off 48 hours duty and 24 hours off-duty. By 1944, he was
succeeded by Deputy Chief Cipriano Cruz whose administration
bore the brunt of the brutal years of Japanese conquest. It is very interesting to
note that the darkest moment in the history of Manila Fire Department was

15 | P a g e
during these brutal years of Japanese invasion. As the Japanese occupation was about to come to a
close, simultaneous raids were conducted one night by the dreaded kempetai or the Japanese military
police on all fire stations. Fifty-three (53) firemen suspected of supporting the guerilla movement were
rounded up. Nobody among them returned despite the strong representation by then Mayor Leon
Guinto with the Japanese Imperial Army. To this day, their deaths are still shrouded with mystery.
Upon the liberation of the city, the Manila Fire Department was, literally speaking, another debris of war.
The U.S. Army had to supply it with trucks, hose another equipment to put it back on its feet. During the
tenure of Chief Cruz, four (4) more fire stations were established for the department namely:
Gagalangin, Sta. Ana, Arroceros and Sampaloc Fire Stations. On April 21, 1956, he retired from service
and was succeeded by Deputy Chief Eulogio Samio who paved the way for the rehabilitation and
reconstruction of fire stations, the construction of a modern edifice that houses the Manila Fire
Department Central Fire Station at the site of Sta. Cruz Fire Station as well as the acquisition of modern
firefighting equipment and apparatus, and for the first time in its history, Manila acquired two (2) fire
boats in 1965. Chief Samio was also responsible for the increase of salary of the fire fighters and non-
uniformed force and the reduction of working hours to 24 hours duty and 24 hours off. Upon his
retirement on January 21, 1966, Deputy Chief Jesus Cruztook over his post and headed the
Department up to December 30, 1966. On December 31, 1966, Capt. Domingo Reyes was designated
by Mayor Villegas as Officer-in-Charge up to March 30, 1967, Capt. Federico Garcia was appointed
by President Marcos as Chief of Manila Fire department. On March 21, 1974, some three years after
the declaration of Police and jail services of the National Capital Region into one unit then known was
the Metropolitan Police Force under the nucleus of Philippine Constabulary and was headed by the
Commanding General of the Philippine Constabulary, Metropolitan Command. The Manila Fire
Department was since then called Fire District I, National Capital Region. Several District
Superintendents assumed the leadership of Manila Fire District Command with the likes of Brig. Gen.
Reyes, who was twice extended to his post by Pres. Marcos and led the Manila Fire Services from July
1, 1980 to December 17, 1985. After his death of the same year, Col. Rodolfo S. Villavicencio took
over his post and led the District Command up to 1987.
As history unfolds, fire stations all over the country were established. Laws were promulgated for the
enhancement of the fire service. On August 8, 1975 Presidential Decree (PD) 765 was enacted by then
President Marcos thereby constituting the Integrated National Police (INP). It provided for the
integration of all city and municipal police and fire departments and jails into the INP. These integrated
forces were placed under the operational control of the Philippine Constabulary.
The Integrated National Police was therefore established and made responsible for public safety,
protection of lives and properties, enforcement of laws and maintenance of peace and order within the
territorial limits of the Philippines. It had the power to prevent crimes, effects and arrest of criminal
offenders and provide for their detention and rehabilitation. It took necessary measures to prevent and
control fires, investigate the commission of all crimes and offenses and bring the offenders to justice, all
the while to take every necessary step to insure public safety.
The Philippine Constabulary as a major service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines with law
enforcement functions, served as nucleus of the Integrated national Police.
The power of the administrative supervision and control by the city and municipal governments over
their respective local police, jail and fire department was transferred to the Chief of Constabulary as
Director-General of the Integrated National Police.

16 | P a g e
Thus, the police fire and jail services were unified into a single organization and the responsibility of
training INP personnel was transferred to the Integrated national Police Training Command including
the 13 regional training centers throughout the country as mandated by Presidential Decree (PD) 765.
On December 13, 1990, Republic Act (RA) 6975 otherwise known as the
DILG Act of 1990 was finally enacted thereby creating the now Bureau of Fire Protection and its present
organization under the umbrella of the
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
The Birth and Growth of the Fire Bureau

The enactment of Republic Act 6975, otherwise known as the Department of Interior and Local
Government Act of 1990 which took effect on January 1, 1991 paved the way for the establishment of
the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Bureau of Jail Management
and Penology (BJMP) as separate entities. Specifically, the Fire Bureau’s charter was created under
Chapter IV (Section 53 to 59) and carried-out through the provisions of Rule VII (Sections 49 to 58) of
the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the said law. The organization was then placed under the
direct supervision of the DILG Undersecretary for Peace and Order. The succeeding approval of the
Appropriation Act of 1991 has also caused the inaugural operation of the Bureau of Fire Protection on
August 2, 1991 as a distinct agency of the government, with its initial preparation of Operation Plans
and Budget (OPB) undertaken by the staff of the Office of the National Chief Fire Marshal at Camp
Crame, Quezon City headed by then F/Brigadier General Ernesto Madriaga, INP (1990-1992) that took
over from the long reign of F/Major Primo D Cordeta (Ret.) the first Chief Fire Marshal (1978-1989).
Gen. Madriaga served as the BFP first Acting Fire Chief/Director from 1991 to 1992. BFP is responsible
for ensuring public safety through prevention and/or suppression of all destructive fires on buildings,
houses, and other similar structure, forests, and land transportation vehicles and equipment,
ships/vessels docked at piers, wharves or anchored at major seaports, petroleum industry installations.
It is also responsible for the enforcement of the Fire Code of the Philippines (PD 1185) and other
related laws, conduct investigations involving fire incidents and causes thereof including the filing of
appropriate complaints/cases

On June 24, 2004, congress enacted R.A. 9263 otherwise known as the BFP Professionalization Act of
2004 which has professionalized and upgraded the qualification standards of appointment in the
Bureau of Fire Protection.

On May 8, 2009, President Gloria M. Arroyo signed into law, R.A. 9592 entitled an “Act extending the 5
years reglementary period for complying the minimum education qualification and appropriation
eligibility in the appointment of the BFP.

Source: bfp.response.gov.ph

17 | P a g e