How to Become a Firefighter (Fireman) in the Philippines?

What is a Firefighter?

The term firefighter was first use in 1903. According to Merriam Dictionary, firefighter is a person who is a member of group that works to put out fires. Historically, fireman was the first term use in 14^th century but because the terms pertains to other meaning, exactly opposite to the role of firefighting and since women were now serve as a firefighters, it was replaced by the term firefighters.

What is the role of a Firefighter?

Firefighter’s role is not just fighting, suppressing and prevention of fires, but in fact it has numerous tasks that protect civilians and property in emergency situations.  They are also involved in rescue operations and sometimes provide emergency medical services during calamity and time of disasters. Another job of a firefighter is to educate the community on the risks of fires, its prevention and conduct fire drills especially in public institutions. They also carry out inspection on commercial buildings and provide licenses to operate.

How does a firefighter recruited?

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is an agency that is mandated to prevent and suppress destructive fires, enforce fire-related laws and provide emergency medical and rescue services among its constituents. To impose its mandate to the growing population, there is a need of recruits who are willing to serve the country even in a dangerous situation.  The vacancy position was posted by either the BFP Main Headquarter or BFP Regional Offices in their bulletin or website. The recruits will have the rank of Fire Officer I if they are qualified and completed requirements and training. In order to qualify, the recruits must have the following qualifications requirements:

Qualification of Fire Officer I

·         Must be a Filipino Citizen.

·         Must have a good moral character.

·         Must be a Bachelor Degree holder.

·         Must be a Professional Civil Service Eligible or board passer.

·         Between 21 and 30 years of age.

·         Must be at least 5’4” in height for males and 5’2 in height for females.

·         Must weigh not more o less than 5 kilograms for the standard weight corresponding to his/her height, age and sex.

·         Must not have been dishonorably discharge or dismissed for cause from previous employment.

·         Must have no pending criminal of administrative charges involving moral turpitude.

·         Must be willing to assigned anywhere in the Philippines.

·         Must have passed the neuro-psychiatric evaluation, medical examination and drug test.

Fire Officer I Requirements and Documents to be submitted:

The following requirements and document must be submitted by the interested applicants in a tab of folder in to Human Resource Management Division of BFP National Headquarters or the nearest BFP Regional Offices.

·         Handwritten Personal Data Sheet (CSC Form 212) with recent 2”x2” ID picture

·         Certificate of Eligibility authenticated by Civil Service Commission (CSC) or Report of Rating/Board Rating authenticated by Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)

·         Transcript of Records duly authenticated by School Registrar

·         Original NSO Copy of Birth Certificate.

·         Original NSO Copy of Marriage Certificate (for female only if married)

·         Clearances

o   Barangay Clearance

o   Mayor’s Clearance

o   Municipal Trial Court Clearance

o   Regional Trial Court Clearance

o   Police Clearance, and

o   NBI Clearance

How much is the Salary of Fire Officer I?

Fire Officer I has a salary grade 10 or equivalent to a monthly base pay of 14,834 pesos.

Tips on how to easily qualify and recruited as a fire officer?

1.    First of all, be 100% sure that you decide to become a firefighter  not just because you are only looking for a job but you are willing and have a commitment to become a firefighter because it is a tough and challenging job that require focus and determination to serve for the protection of the people.

2.    A recruit that was previously a volunteer firefighter is a plus factor. It is wise to volunteer first to get an idea of the role of a firefighter and the operation of a fire department.

3.    You have to be physically fit to be able to pass the rigid training. To get an idea, a trainee will be carrying a dummy heavier than him/her and will be holding the fire hose with a huge amount of pressure that is tough to hold in the training.

4.    Like other recruitment program like police and similar occupations, an agility test is required to enter the training program. To qualify agility test, interested applicant must trained themselves for cardio exercises, pull-ups, push-ups and sit-ups before submitting the requirements.

5.    In completion of requirements, you must obtain first the Certificate of Eligibility or the Board rating since it will take time to authenticate especially if you are outside Metro Manila. Then, proceed on obtaining the requirements on national offices and lastly the requirements from your locality. Prepare 10 copies of each requirement as much as possible for your guarantee and for future uses.

6.    Ask a fire officer on your local fire department to get an idea on the proceedings on recruitment of a fire officer.

7.    Always look for announcement of schedules and place of recruitment and exams and obtain contact number of recruitment office.