CORDON FIRE STATION
BFP Region 2 is open for APPLICATION for Fire Officer 1
News, Events & Articles
Cordon Makeshift Kitchen Fire Incident, a Proof that Preparedness Truly Matters
By: FO1 Eraño M Kimayong, BFP
Destructive fires may happen anywhere, to anyone & in anytime, but often occurs when we least expect them, which makes it even more devastating.
On 091019 February 2015, a concerned citizen appeared at BFP-Cordon to report a fire in-progress at Purok 04, Barangay Quezon, Cordon, Isabela. F03 Susana S Rivera, the Station Commander ordered immediate response. Upon arrival of the Firetruck with its crew at the fire scene, it was discovered that the fire has already been ceased; and noted that the involved is a makeshift kitchen (dirty kitchen) owned by Mrs Hertrudes Bugtong. Thorough investigation of the incident revealed that the cause is an unattended improvised-stove still with heated charcoals, and it was found to be accidental in nature.
Witnesses claimed that the fire was suppressed due to the quick response of the on-duty Civilian Volunteer Officers (CVO) who was also the BFP trained and organized Barangay Volunteer Fire Brigade (BVFB) at the said barangay. The BVFB used the bucket relay technique learned during the series of trainings on Disaster Preparedness, Basic Firefighting, Basic EMS & Basic Rope Rescue Technique conducted by the BFP-Cordon last October 2014 for all the BVFB’s of the municipality.
The immediate action of the said BVFB prevented a possible major conflagration since most of the houses and structures nearby were made up of light materials. As a result, Cordon was shunned from a potential loss of lives and properties.
Fire doubles every 30 seconds, hence time is very crucial in a firefighting operation. The duration from the start of the fire to the reporting of the incident to the Fire Station, traffic, distance and location of the fire scene are all determinants of the travel time spent before the Firefighters reach the place of occurrence. Therefore, having a trained team in the immediate community who can provide quick and skilled response while the Firefighters are on their way is an important key in breaking the thin-line between a simple adversity and a major catastrophe.
Our nation faces quite a significant number of destructive fire incidents and calamities, thus the Bureau of Fire Protection provides lectures and trainings designed to keep the community aware and prepared in-case of disasters or emergencies. Disaster and Emergency Preparedness might not stop a natural or man-made adversity from occurring but it will surely help avert or abate its effects.
The purpose of these programs will not be fully realized without the support of the Local Government Units. BFP-Cordon is grateful that the LGU Cordon is one of those who recognizes the importance their role in the success of this programs.
Cagayan Valley’s First Lady Municipal Fire Marshal
By: FO1 Eraño M Kimayong, BFP
“Leaders aren’t born, they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hardwork and faith”, this is the motto that Firewoman FO3 Susana S Rivera always believed.
Ma’am Susan as we call her is a native of Ramon, Isabela, born on April 23, 1972, 2nd to the youngest of 10 siblings of Mr. & Mrs. Roman Segundo Sr. She is happily married to Mr. Loreto Rivera and blessed with 3 children, Jesley, Ariel and Dane.
She completed elementary at Oscariz Elementary School and High school at Ramon National High school. Thereafter, she pursued Bachelor of Science in Agriculture at Isabela State University – Echague Campus as a Government Scholar but had to stop when she was at her 3rd school year due to unavoidable circumstances. Through the balik aral program of our government, she finished AB Political Science in 2001 at Isabela Colleges and BS Criminology at Saint Ferdinand College through the Expanded Tertiary Equivalency Education Program (ETEEAP) last 2009. She successfully passed the Criminology board exam with a board rating of 81.35% through experience and self-reviews last 2011. She also took 2 vocational courses, Basic Electricity at Southern Isabela College of Arts and Trades in 2001 & Computer Programming at STI Hongkong campus when she was still working as an OFW.
Being a Firefighter is not an easy profession; it requires strength, courage and knowledge combined to be one. Ma’am Susan had this vision of becoming a Fire Fighter, so despite the fact that this line of work is a male-dominated one, she entered the service and showed that women as well can do what men can do. She equipped herself not only with the knowledge but skills as well necessary for one to become a Fireman; she even learned driving just to ready herself.
She became a Fire Officer 1 officially when she took her oath on August 2, 1999 and undergone the same process of training that men in this service go through. She was first assigned at the National Head Quarters as a member of the Operation Special Rescue Team. 8 months later, she joined BFP-Region 02 family when she was assigned at the Office of the Provincial Fire Marshal of Isabela. She was assigned to different offices and stations after that.
She also became a Municipal Fire Prevention Officer (MFPO) of Reina Mercedes for 2years, 5months and 23 days; this made her the First Lady Firefighter to become an MFPO in the Province of Isabela. During that time when she was promoted as Fire Officer 2.
She was later transferred to her present home station, Cordon Fire Station on September 2011 as an MFPO/Collecting Agent, which was then a Fire Prevention Office. Because of her hard-work, patience, wit and assertiveness, she was able to persuade the Local Government of Cordon to donate a Fire Truck which was at that time unserviceable, and convinced the LPGMA Partylist to repair and rehabilitate the said Fire Truck. This paved a way in the establishment of a Fire Station in the said municipality.
She maintained a good relationship with the Local Government and Non-Government Offices in the municipality; due to her efforts, good coordination and rapport that she preserved with the leaders and the people of Cordon, she won the admiration of the LGU and gained its full support. The Local Government gladly donated not only office supplies but most importantly, a 300 sqm lot and a building intended as a Fire Station.
Two milestones took place in Ma’am Susan’s Career in Cordon. First, she was promoted as Fire Officer 3 on August 24, 2014 and 2nd; the Fire Prevention Office of Cordon officially became Cordon Fire Station during her leadership. With all her accomplishments, she was deservingly designated as the Acting-Municipal Fire Marshal of the said station. This made another history of BFP Region 2, not only the fact that a lady had this ability to make such remarkable achievements at her rank Fire Officer 3, but for the first time in the history of BFP Region 2, a Lady became a Municipal Fire Marshal.
Because of her outstanding performance, she earned the respect of her subordinates, superiors and peers. To name some evidence, she was awarded as one of the Ten Outstanding Fire Fighfighters of Region-02 CY 2013, Best Municipal Fire Marshal of the Year 2013 Provincial Level, Medalya ng Papuri and a recognition as the First Lady Municipal Fire Marshal of Region-02.
Despite Ma’am Susan’s achievements in her career, she remained a humble leader. Cordon Fire Station is continuously growing and improving under her supervision. In fact, a kitchen and 2 Comfort Rooms, now under construction, including the manpower during its construction and a brand new water pump set were again donated just recently by the Local Government of Cordon.
Indeed, FO3 Susana S Rivera, BFP – the woman behind Cordon Fire Station and the First Lady Municipal Fire Marshal of the Cagayan Valley is undeniably a woman to be reckoned with, a role model, a True Leader. Our snappy salute and Congratulations!
As per BFP Regional Memorandum, dated 27 February 2015, all Interested and Qualified applicants are advised to submit application folder from February 28 to March 9, 2015.
Applicants from Cordon, Isabela are advised to report at this station.
Submit requirements ahead of time.
Check Requirements at the APPLICATION PAGE.
Reaching All Barangay through Volunteer Fire Brigade Preparedness Training
By: FO1 Eraño M Kimayong, BFP
Every year, our nation faces a lot of destructive fires, typhoons, floods & earthquakes, which most often occur when we least expect them, that makes it even more devastating. Having a Trained Disaster-Emergency Response Team or the Volunteer Fire Brigade might not stop a natural or man-made adversity from occurring but it will surely help avert or abate its effects.
As Firefighters, the core of our profession is Fire Safety, but not well-known to many Filipinos is that part of the duties of Firefighters is likewise to promote awareness and provide emergency medical and rescue services. During disasters and emergencies, the Bureau of Fire Protection is one of the prime agencies working to maintain public safety.
With the support of the Local Government of Cordon, Isabela, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council and the Liga ng Barangay, the workforce of BFP Cordon headed by FO3 Susana S Rivera, the Municipal Fire Marshal organized and trained Barangay Volunteer Fire Brigade and Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council at all Barangays of the said town. 229 representatives who include barangay “tanods”, barangay officials and private individuals coming from the 26 Barangays joined the training. Considering the availability and to provide quality learning to the large number of participants, the barangays were clustered into 6. The training was held per cluster at 6 different locations in Cordon; and was set at 6 different schedules which include weekends and even beyond duty hours. Each cluster attended 2-days training on Disaster Awareness, Basic Fire Suppression, Basic Emergency Medical Services and Basic Rescue Technique. The participants performed actual hands on and dry run activities to evaluate their readiness.
The BFP Cordon also trained the previously organized Junior Fire Marshals at 3 Public Schools located in Cordon, the Cagasat National High School, Diadi Region National High School and Wigan Integrated School. The 46 representatives from the 3 Public Schools joined Cluster 2 & 4 and were given the same training.
Ending this event is the Mass Distribution of Certificates which was attended by HON. LAURENCIO P ZUNIEGA, the Municipal Mayor, SSUPT LEONARD R BAÑAGO, the BFP Regional Director, CINSP ANDRES T GALAPIA, the Isabela Provincial Fire Marshal, other municipal and barangay officials, teachers and the participants wearing their orange-colored BVFB and BDRRMC uniform. The event was held at the Community Center, Cordon, Isabela last 29 October 2014.
The BFP Cordon personnel were all smiles not only that the training which was aimed at providing disaster & emergency preparedness was successful but more importantly, there are now trained volunteers at the grassroots willing to extend their assistance in times of need.
BFP Cordon Beats the Challenge
By: FO1 Eraño M Kimayong, BFP
In an era where public safety and economic stability is one of the major problems, the BFP as always is in the bandwagon for promoting a safe and progressive society in the context of fire protection, emergency medical and rescue services, and as well as fire code fee collection. The BFP Cordon is not one to be left behind in this endeavor. In fact, this very young station which was just created last 19 April 2013 is beating the challenge of providing substantial accomplishments anchored with the programs, policies and vision of BFP.
Through the initiative and perseverance of FO3 Susana S Rivera, the Acting-Municipal Fire Marshal, BFP Cordon was born. A Morita-type Firetruck was donated by the Cordon LGU and was rehabilitated by the LPGMA. A 63 sqm building and a 300sqm lot, including office supplies, computers, water pump and many others were gladly donated by the LGU Cordon headed by its very supportive Local Chief Executive, HON LAURENCIO P ZUNIEGA.
As of September 2014, BFP Cordon recorded and responded to only 1 fire incident as compared to 2 of last year, inspected a total of 302 establishments, issued 143 NTC’s, 159 FSIC’s versus 111 of last year, issued 8 FSEC’s after proper review and evaluation in contrast with 7 last year, conducted 11 trainings/seminars/lectures and a total Fire Code Fee collection of P157, 039.5 as compared to P125, 939.5 total collection at the same month last year. Furthermore, carried out 9 fire drills & 10 earthquake drills, conducted 17 Ugnayan sa Barangay and organized Kiddie/Junior Fire Marshals at 7 Schools located at Cordon, Isabela.
Promoting awareness and providing trainings/seminars is one of the most essential services offered by BFP given that prevention is at all times better than cure. The station valued this program, as a matter of fact; this office organized and trained Barangay Volunteer Fire Brigade (BVFB) and Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council at all barangays, and trained Junior Fire Marshals at 3 public schools located at Cordon, Isabela. As of October 2014, there are 229 trained volunteers of the BVFB’s and 46 Junior Fire Marshals.
Moreover, the BFP Cordon regularly conducts information dissemination through distribution of leaflets and Firetruck visibility within AOR especially during special occasions such as New Year, Semana Santa, and Fiestas. In addition, this office complied with the policies of the Anti-Red Tape Act.
The BFP Cordon also actively participated in many intra or inter-agency activities such as the One-Stop-Shop service of the LGU, the Rescuers Ungloved Seminar workshop and Rescue demonstration at Santiago City, BFP Fire Olympics, the OPLAN SEMANA SANTA, Brigada Eskwela, the Mannalon Festival Parade and Fun Run, PDRRMC Summit held at Ilagan City, the Tree Trimming & Canal Declogging along the National Highway of Cordon, Dental Mission, Red Cross Blood Donation and many more.
At present, Cordon Fire Station has a total of nine 9 uniformed personnel.
With the number of personnel and equipment, Cordon Fire Station is currently serving 26 barangays with a population of 46,494 as of year 2012 census.