Text BFP to report fires

MANILA, Philippines - The public can now report fires and other emergencies in any part of the country by sending text messages to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo said yesterday.

He said the public can expect prompt response from the BFP and other private fire volunteer organizations by texting the exact location of the fire or emergency to 0918-688888.

“When as before, this text messaging service is confined in Metro Manila alone, now even those in other parts of the country may text BFP and TXTFIRE if they need help,” he said.

BFP director Rolando Bandilla Jr. and TXTFIRE Philippines Foundation president Gerie Chua signed a memorandum of agreement that formally launched the nationwide text messaging system for fire and emergency services. The text messaging service was piloted in Metro Manila last April.

Under the MOA, messages, alerts, advisories and other information relative to the occurrence of fire, calamities and emergency situations received from the public through text generated by TXTFire facilities shall be relayed to the nearest local BFP station and other fire volunteer groups who will quickly proceed to the site to respond to the incident.