SBMA, PPSA eye partnership to train future Fire Marshalls

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), through its Fire Department, and the Philippine Public Safety Academy (PPSA) are set to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to train the latter’s cadets for a future career in firefighting. 

 

SBMA Fire Chief Ranny Magno revealed this plan during the graduation ceremony for the Fire Cadets of PPSA Class of 2025 who have completed the comprehensive Advanced Firefighting Training from March 24 to 28, 2025. 

 

“I do hope that for the next batch of cadets, the SBMA and PPSA will already have a formal agreement so that this kind of training can be done on a regular basis,” Magno added.

 

Recently, 37 cadets of the "Madayawlahi” Class of 2025, the second batch of PPSA students, underwent a week-long intensive firefighting training, including Fire Suppression and Control, Tactics, and Strategies, where the cadets were able to experience firefighting via simulated exercises. This specialized training also provided them with hands-on experience with modern firefighting equipment, tools, and tactical scenarios.

 

PPSA Commandant of Cadets Mark Anthony S. Saquing expressed his appreciation to the personnel of the SBMA Fire Department for actively playing a vital role in implementing the program with them.

 

He also thanked Fire Chief Magno, who was also the Course Director, as well as his training team composed of Deputy Fire Chief Edwin Santos, John Patrick Ablaza., Alvin Laconsay and Romano Custodio for mentoring their cadets.

 

Saguing said that the training provided a deeper understanding of fireground tactics, the science behind fire behavior, and the leadership required to protect communities in high-stakes emergencies, which are essential qualities for public safety officers.

 

“The fires that you battle are not just those that burn in buildings, but also the challenges that will test your character, endurance, and willpower. Through this training, you have gained not only the knowledge and skills but also the spirit of a true firefighter, one who never gives up, never backs down, and always stands firm in the face of adversity,” Saquing addressed his cadets.

 

PPSA was created under DILG Circular No. 2022-009, otherwise known as the “Creation and Operationalization of Philippine Public Safety Academy pursuant to Republic Act 11279.” It offers graduate degree courses for personnel of the BFP and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), namely, Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection Administration, and Bachelor of Science in Penology and Corrections Administration. (MPD-SBMA) 

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91 Cagayan Valley students troop to SBF for Fire Dept educ’l tour

Some 91 students from the University of Cagayan Valley (UCV) visited the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA)-Fire Department (FD) as part of their educational tour last March 5 and 12, 2025.

 

SBMA Fire Chief Ranny D. Magno states, "This group of UCV Criminology interns is the second batch of learners. The first batch was here last March 5. The educational tour is part of the Open Fire House Program for the 2025 Fire Prevention Month." 

 

“We chose to practice fire safety in the family and the community. The theme is for us to be aware of fire safety”, he added.

 

Fire Officer Kevin Cerezo provided a briefer on the importance of fire prevention month. Meanwhile, Magno, who supervised the activity, gave a lecture on fire prevention and protection.

 

During the demonstration, four participants experienced wearing firefighting equipment which consisted of bunker gear, boots, helmets, gloves, masks, and breathing apparatus.

 

To break the ice and add a little hype to the tour, the official mascot of the SBMA Fire Department, Sparky, challenged two female participants wearing firefighting equipment to a dance contest.

 

The students shared their appreciation from the learnings and new experiences they received, adding that their respect for firefighters and the sacrifices they make further heightened their admiration for the profession.  They also cited the nobility of being a firefighter owing to the life-threatening risks that are entailed each time they respond to a fire call.

 

Jermaine Flores, a UCV instructor, commended the SBMA Fire Department as a perfect training venue for fire prevention and protection for succeeding UCV on-the-job training students.

The SBMA Fire Department is the key firefighting and emergency response force within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.  It is popular for its quick response time and commitment to fire prevention, rescue operations, and customer service. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA holds Fire Olympics w/ Subic Freeport locators

In line with the nationwide observation of the fire prevention month, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), thru its Fire Department, conducted a Fire Olympics held at the Subic Bay Gateway Park on Thursday.

According to SBMA Fire Department Manager Ranny Magno, the Fire Olympics is held every March to coincide with the Fire Prevention Month. A total of ten Subic Bay Freeport companies participated in the Fire Olympics.

“This activity aims to instill fire suppression readiness among workers in their respective companies. We want them to be the first responders to any incident that might happen in their workplace, and be prepared for the worst,” he said.

The companies that took part in the Fire Olympics were Philippine Easepal, Anglo Asia Commodities, Tong Lung Metal Industry, Nakano Tonye, GrainPro Phil's Inc., GGG Technology Inc., Word Cup Security Agency, Tailin Abrasive, Wistron Infocomm Phils., and Hudson Outdoor Industrial Inc.

During the awarding, Tong Lung Metal Industries won the Fire Hose Relay, while GrainPro Phils. Inc. won the Tug of War, and the Nakano Tonye won the Fire Extinguishers Relay.

2023 Fire Prevention Month’s theme “Sa Pag-iwas ng Sunog, Hindi ka Nag-iisa” cited the importance of the role of the community in preventing the spread of fire in an area. Magno said that with the vigilance and active participation of the community, fire prevention would be easier. (MPD-SBMA) 

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SBMA opens ₱24.7-M new fire station building

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Fire department early this week inaugurated its ₱24.7-million new Fire Station No. 7 building.

Built on a 3,350 sq.m. lot along Sampson Road corner Dewey Avenue, the Spanish-American inspired building, Fire Station No. 7 serves as the main office of the SBMA Fire department that has jurisdiction over the former Ship Repair Facility (SRF), Naval Ship Depot (NSD), Industrial Parks, and the Central Business District (CBD) area.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino, who led a brief inspection of the new building, was amazed at the improvement of the fire station.

“Our fire fighters are well-known, not only in Central Luzon, but in the Asian Region as well. And this milestone only proves that our fire fighters are committed to provide the highest standard of service,” Paulino said.

Paulino added that he is proud to say that the SBMA fire department is also known for its ability to respond to emergencies and provide fire protection services within its jurisdiction in seven minutes or less, as he addressed guests including the Olongapo City Fire Department and the Makati City Fire Department.

He noted that this is part of the agency’s efforts to maintain existing investors and attract more investments, especially foreign direct investments (FDIs) intending to make it happen in the Philippines. He also declared, “Subic Bay is a complete community.”

Meanwhile, Fire Chief Ranny Magno disclosed that apart from the new building, which occupies 593.38 sq.m., the new Fire Station No. 7 has an apparatus floor covering 167.89 sq.m. that can accommodate up to four fire trucks.

Magno admitted that the proposal for the said building was rejected at first because it defies the traditional design of fire stations in the country. Eventually, it was approved when he persisted that the Hispanic aesthetic feature is intended to preserve the institutional memory, rich history and heritage of the Subic Bay Freeport as the former recreation facility of the Spanish Navy, and subsequently, the United States Navy.

“We must have a sense of history. This is a former Spanish-American Naval Base,” he cited, noting that the SBMA has always been a “show-window to the whole world” for being able to provide rescue and retrieval operations even to Japan, Taiwan, Iran and Asian countries.

Magno also said the building was also designed to conform to the Environmental Management System (EMS) standards of the ISO14001 with a water and oil separator engineering design to ensure that fire and rescue operations prevent pollutions and detrimental effect on the environment.

It also promotes Gender and Development (GAD) equality having an all-gender comfort rooms, male and female quarters suitable for breast feeding and hygiene concerns.

It has a mini museum inside the building where old fire and rescue equipment will be displayed to educate students coming to visit the Fire Department during their educational tours inside the Freeport. Some fire and rescue paraphernalia and old apparatus are being displayed at the sodding area of the new fire station.

Coinciding with the program, Paulino commended the fire fighters for exuding outstanding performance as among the Freeport’s main frontliners during the height of the pandemic.

Also, Paulino said that he will propose to the SBMA board of directors to allow sending Fire department personnel to Virginia Beach in USA where they could meet with American counterparts to acquire the newest techniques and approaches to fire suppression.

In 2014, when Paulino was the Olongapo City mayor, he entered into a sisterhood pact with Virginia Beach officials.

The occasion also became a reunion for former and current fire fighters. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA conducts fire response exercises for 40 seaport security, safety officers

As a safety measure to mitigate fire incidents in the port facility, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Seaport department conducted a Port Facility Fire Emergency Response Exercise 2022 at the Marine Terminal Port Facility, Naval Supply Depot (NSD) compound.

The exercise was conducted in coordination with the SBMA Fire department with the participation of Seaport department personnel and some 40 security and safety officers from various locators and stakeholders within the facility.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino said that the Emergency Response Exercise is part of the SBMA’s thrust to strengthen its capabilities to respond quickly to different emergency scenarios that may arise inside the port facility.

Paulino added that the exercise aims to test the existing procedures and contingency plans in case of emergency, namely, the capabilities of the emergency responders, the communication skills and coordination, and the resource availability and response.

Diego Aviles of the Port Operations Division of the SBMA Seaport Department explained that as part of the exercise, a scenario was created wherein a building inside the NSD was caught on fire.

The Shipyard and Field Monitoring Officer then immediately reported the incident to his supervisor and tried to extinguish the fire, but failed. Then the Fire department arrived at the scene.

Aviles explained to participants that the Fire department knew nothing about the scenario they created aside from an on-going training. This is to determine how fast before the fire truck could actually reach the site, which their Citizen’s Charter requires seven minutes.

Aviles called the Fire Station, which is about two kilometers away from the site, and reported a burning building at the NSD, but it was only a drill.

True to is Citizen’s Charter, the responding fire truck arrived in six minutes and 11 seconds.

Aviles further explained that a tiny spark could become destructive with the presence of high temperature and strong wind, which are both present this time of the year especially in areas like a seaport facility.

Most of the participants were security and safety officers from Subic Bay International Terminal Corp., Amerasia International Terminal Services Inc., Subic Consolidated Projects Inc., Mega Subic Terminal Services Inc., which service bulk cargo (grains) and storage handling, which are vulnerable to fire.

The participants were given basic training on fire prevention skills like the use of fire extinguisher and handling of a fire truck hose. (MPD-SBMA)

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