BFP: NCR fire incidents up over 13% in January-July 2024

The number of fire incidents in Metro Manila has increased by over 13% in January-July 2024 compared to the record during the same period last year, the Bureau of Fire Protection-National Capital Region (BFP-NCR) said Wednesday.

From 2,171 last year, the number of fire incidents went up to 2,457, based on the data presented by BFP-NCR chief Fire Chief Superintendent Nahum Tarroza during a media interfacing event.

A total of 1,127 were structural fire, 1,219 non-structural, and 111 vehicular.

Fatalities were 35 individuals including 34 civilians and one firefighter, while injured victims were 330 including 296 civilians and 34 firefighters.

Tarroza said the BFP-NCR has 3,573 personnel serving a population of 14 million in Metro Manila. This is not enough based on the ideal firefighter to population ratio of 1:2,000.

“Napakalayo po namin (We are so far),” Tarroza said.

There are 832 volunteer fire trucks while the BFP only has 166 in Metro Manila, according to Tarroza.

The BFP Modernization Program, which will run up to 2034, is set to address the lack of fire trucks in these areas as part of its first phase.

In 2023, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said the Marcos administration allocated P1.737 billion for the modernization of the BFP.

The fund allocation shall be used for the acquisition and improvement of facilities, purchase of fire trucks, personal protective equipment, and emergency and rescue equipment. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News