Certified Medical First Responders and Emergency Medical Technicians

soenate Mine of the Gorcresary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session DEC 17 P6:31 SENATE RECEIVED &Y: 1645 S. No.. Introduced by SENATOR MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT REQUIRING PERSONNEL OF THE BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION TO BE CERTIFIED MEDICAL FIRST RESPONDERS AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 4 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11589 OR THE "BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION MODERNIZATION ACT" EXPLANATORY NOTE Fire presents significant dangers, including burns, serious injuries, smoke inhalation, and fatalities. In severe cases, victims with fire-related injuries should be immediately rushed to an emergency medical facility. During such critical moments, a capable responder is essential to provide initial medical care to assess the condition of victims. Firefighters are best positioned to administer first aid, and therefore need to be well-trained in emergency response and preparedness, including medical assistance to victims. This bill mandates Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel to become certified medical first responders and emergency medical technicians by requiring them to complete the Fire Basic Recruit Course program, which includes training in emergency medical procedures. This measure will strengthen the BFP's ability to deliver effective assistance, thereby lowering the risk of death for fire victims and responders. For this reason, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. MARK A. VILLAR ROC

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session DEC 17 P6:32 SENATE RECEIVED BY: s. No. 1645 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT REQUIRING PERSONNEL OF THE BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION TO BE CERTIFIED MEDICAL FIRST RESPONDERS AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 4 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11589 OR THE "BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION MODERNIZATION ACT" Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - Title III, Section 4 of Republic Act No. 11589 or the

2 "Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act", is hereby amended to read as follows: "SEC. 4. BFP Modernization Program. - The BFP shall, in coordination with the DILG, establish and implement the BFP Modernization Program which shall be geared towards the enhancement of the capability of its personnel and acquisition of state-of-the-art fire prevention, fire suppression, fire investigation, and emergency medical and Rescue services facilities and equipment. The BFP Modernization Program shall consist of the following components: a) Fire Protection Service. - x xx b) Force Restructuring and Organizational Development. - x xx c) Capability, Material, and Technology Development. - x xx d) Specialized Services Development. - The BFP Modernization Program shall establish specialized fire protection services such as high-rise building fires, forest fires, aircraft and airport fires, chemical

fires, disaster rescue services, and emergency medical services. It shall also include the establishment of a Search and Rescue Force, HAZMAT units. Fire and Arson Investigation Unit, and Security and Protection Unit in every region and city, as well as an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) in every municipality and city: Provided, That each EMS unit to be established shall be comprised of an ambulance with adequate medical equipment, and qualified and trained personnel: PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR SHALL DESIGNATE IN EVERY FIRE STATION, AT LEAST ONE (1) UNIFORMED PERSONNEL PER SHIFT, REGARDLESS OF RANK, TO ACT AS AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN WHO WILL SUPERVISE FIRE OFFICERS IN RESPONDING TO MEDICAL EMERGENCIES. AS USED IN THIS ACT, AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN REFERS TO A TRAINED AND CERTIFIED PRE- HOSPITAL EMERGENCY CARE PROVIDER WHO IS CAPABLE OF PERFORMING EXTENSIVE PRE-HOSPITAL CARE, ENDOTRACHEAL INTUBATIONS AND CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION; ADMINISTERING MEDICATION ORALLY AND INTRAVENOUSLY; AND USING AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR AND OTHER COMPLEX EMERGENCY MEDICAL EQUIPMENT: Provided, further, That every Security and Protection Unit (SPU) shall be composed of not more than fourteen (14) personnel, comprised of two (2) team leaders with the rank of at least Fire Inspector and team members, who shall undergo a neuropsychological examination and periodic trainings: Provided, furthermore. That BFP personnel with the rank of Senior Fire Officer Ill may be given priority to be appointed as SPU team member: Provided finally. That THE SPU shall be provided with appropriate equipment to protect firefighters during fire suppression,

containment of HAZMAT and CBRNE materials, fire investigation, and in the performance of all other acts pertinent to their mandate; and e) Human Resource Development. - The modernization program shall include the development of a comprehensive training program for BFP personnel and BFP volunteers, including mandatory training for new entrants and newly-appointed personnel of the BFP, and BFP volunteers, and establishment of training facilities. In order to accelerate the Personnel Development Program, the BFP shall encourage and promote volunteerism and shall develop guidelines for the enlistment and training of BFP volunteers. Internationally accredited training consultants and advisers may be hired if the BFP determines that there is no Filipino citizen who is competent, able, and willing to provide the same expertise. The BFP shall, in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), provide necessary trainings for its EMS, which include infection control and exposure, emergency vehicle response, incident rehabilitation, critical incident stress management, response to HAZMAT, response to mass casualty incidents (MCI), and response to vehicle accidents, among others. UPON APPOINTMENT, A FIRE OFFICER 1 (FOI) OF THE BFP MUST UNDERGO AND COMPLETE THE FIRE BASIC RECRUIT COURSE (FBRC) WHICH SHALL PROVIDE THE FUNDAMENTAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS NECESSARY TO MEET THE MINIMUM STANDARDS OF FIRE PERSONNEL COMPETENCE, INCLUDING ADVANCED FIRST AID AND EMERGENCY FIRST RESPONSE. THE COURSE DESCRIPTION AND COMPONENTS OF THE FBRC SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL RULES AND REGULATIONS ON MANDATORY TRAINING, LOCAL SCHOOLING, SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS WHICH ARE ISSUED BY THE BFP. UPON COMPLETION OF THE FBRC, THE APPROPRIATE

CERTIFICATION AS MEDICAL FIRST RESPONDER SHALL BE ISSUED ACCORDINGLY.

Sec. 2. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or

unconstitutional, the other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Sec. 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, letters of

instructions, proclamations, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act shall be deemed notified, amended, or repealed accordingly.

Sec. 4. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 10

10 its complete publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,