| Repubic ofthe Philippines = ‘ Department of the interior and Local Goverment i ae Ne) BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION cy NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS yi ‘Agham Road, Gray. Bagong Pag-asa, Quezon City MEMORANDUM To. : ALL REGIONAL DIRECTORS SUBJECT : ISSUANCE CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY (COC) TO MEMBERS OF COMPANY FIRE BRIGADE AS. REQUIREMENT FOR ISSUANCE OF FIRE SAFETY INSPECTION CERTIFICATE (FSIC) DATE : October 15, 2012 This pertains fo the issue on the issuance of Cerlificate of Com- petency (COC) for members of fire brigade as additional requirement for the grant of Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC) to business es- fablishment where organization of fre brigade is required. The said issue was raised during the 1" Semester Command Conference on September, 2012 Be reminded that under Section 6.0.2.1, Rule 6 of the Imple— menting Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 9514 states that, “Section 4.0.2.1 Requirements A All business establishments employing at least fifty [50) persons shall, in addition for the requirements set forth under Section 7 of RA 9514 for the grant of Fire Safety Inspection Cerificate (FSIC], establish an organi- zation of fire brigade to deal with fire and other related emergenciss..." Further, the IRR of RA #514 defines fire brigade as group of fire- 13fighters, primarily performing fre suppression activities in areas such as, but not limited to, community/barangay, company, and other gov emment and non-government establishments. To qualify as a member of fre brigade, individuals must be available to respond to fire alarms and attend required training pro- grams, for this purpose and in accordance to Section 6.0.3.1 of the IRR of RA 9514, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) issued Memorandum ‘Circular Number 2009-017 re. Guidelines on the Issuance of Cerificate of Competency (COC} for Fire Volunteers, Members of Fre Brigades, (COC shall be synonymous with the license fo practice fre safety. thus no person shall be allowed fo render fire safety or fre fighting services unless the requirements on certificate of competency are complied with. The said provision of the law applies to all business establish- menis employing ot least fifty (50) persons. Business establishments shall refer to all occupancies, government or private offices and fbuild- ings. Hence, all business establishments are mandatorly required to comply with this provision, among ofher fire safety requirements of the fre code, before they can be granted with Fre Safety inspection Cer fificate (FSIC). Relative thereto, all Regional Directors are hereby directed to ensure that said provisions of the law including the requirements of MC. 2009-017, are propery observed within their areas of responsibility. For stict compliance. suse, / ‘Ollicer-in-Charge