WEEK 1 LECTURE
Course Orientation and Introduction to Fire Protection
Subject: Fire Protection and Arson Investigation
Program: BS Criminology
Duration: 3 hours
I. COURSE OVERVIEW AND EXPECTATIONS
A. Course Overview
Fire Protection and Arson Investigation is a specialized criminology subject that focuses
on understanding fire as a physical phenomenon, a public safety concern, and a
potential criminal act. The course integrates science, law, and investigation,
preparing students to deal with fire-related incidents both preventively and
investigatively.
This course is divided into two major parts:
1. Fire Protection – prevention, safety, laws, systems, and public education
2. Arson Investigation – determination of origin and cause, evidence handling,
case build-up, and court presentation
The course is anchored on Republic Act No. 9514 (Fire Code of the Philippines) and
the operational mandate of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
B. Course Expectations
Students are expected to:
Attend classes regularly and actively participate in discussions
Understand basic fire science concepts
Analyze fire incidents from a criminological perspective
Apply legal provisions related to fire and arson
Demonstrate ethical behavior and respect for safety protocols
Prepare written outputs such as quizzes, case analyses, and examinations
This course will involve lectures, case studies, videos, quizzes, and possible field
exposure to fire stations or fire scenes (subject to approval).
II. IMPORTANCE OF FIRE PROTECTION IN CRIMINOLOGY
Fire protection is a critical area of criminology because fire incidents:
Cause loss of life and massive property damage
Disrupt peace, order, and economic stability
May involve criminal intent, such as arson, insurance fraud, or concealment of
crimes
Role of Criminologists in Fire Protection:
1. Prevention – identifying fire hazards and advocating compliance with fire safety
laws
2. Investigation – assisting in determining whether a fire is accidental or intentional
3. Law Enforcement Support – coordination with BFP and PNP in criminal cases
4. Evidence Handling – ensuring proper documentation and chain of custody
5. Court Testimony – presenting technical and factual findings during trial
Fire protection is not solely the responsibility of firefighters. Criminologists serve as
partners in public safety, investigators, and future policymakers.
III. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF FIRE PROTECTION IN THE PHILIPPINES
A. Early History
During the Spanish period, fire response was informal and community-based
Wooden houses and open flames made fires frequent and destructive
B. American Period
Introduction of organized fire brigades
Establishment of fire safety regulations and modern firefighting techniques
C. Post-War Period
Fire services were placed under local police organizations
Limited manpower and resources affected effectiveness
D. Creation of the Bureau of Fire Protection
RA 6975 (1990) created the BFP as a separate bureau under the Department of
the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
RA 9165 is often mistakenly cited but is actually the Dangerous Drugs Act
RA 9514 (2008) strengthened fire prevention, enforcement, and penalties
The evolution of fire protection reflects the growing recognition of fire as both a public
safety issue and a criminal justice concern.
IV. OVERVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION (BFP)
A. Legal Basis
RA 6975 – Organizational creation of the BFP
RA 9514 – Fire Code of the Philippines
B. Mandate and Functions
The BFP is primarily responsible for:
1. Fire prevention and suppression
2. Enforcement of the Fire Code
3. Fire safety inspection of buildings and establishments
4. Fire investigation and determination of cause
5. Public education and fire safety awareness
C. Coordination with Other Agencies
PNP – criminal investigation support
LGUs – local enforcement and disaster preparedness
Prosecutors and Courts – filing and prosecution of arson cases
Criminologists – investigative and technical assistance
The BFP plays a central role in ensuring community safety and enforcing accountability
in fire-related incidents.
V. CLOSING DISCUSSION
Fire protection is an interdisciplinary field involving science, law, public administration,
and criminal investigation. As future criminologists, students must understand that fire
can be accidental, negligent, or criminal, and proper knowledge is essential to
determine the truth.
WEEK 1 SHORT QUIZ
Instruction: Choose the correct answer. Write the letter only.
1. Fire Protection and Arson Investigation primarily deals with the study of:
A. Natural disasters only
B. Fire prevention and criminal investigation
C. Emergency medicine
D. Structural engineering
2. Which law is known as the Fire Code of the Philippines?
A. RA 6975
B. RA 9165
C. RA 9514
D. RA 8551
3. Fire protection is important to criminology because fires may involve:
A. Weather changes
B. Civil engineering defects
C. Criminal intent
D. Medical negligence
4. Which government agency is primarily responsible for fire prevention and
suppression?
A. PNP
B. AFP
C. BFP
D. NBI
5. The Bureau of Fire Protection is under which department?
A. DOJ
B. DILG
C. DND
D. DPWH
6. During the Spanish period, fire protection in the Philippines was mostly:
A. Highly modernized
B. Community-based and informal
C. Militarized
D. Privatized
7. RA 6975 is significant because it:
A. Penalized arson
B. Created the Bureau of Fire Protection
C. Regulated firearms
D. Established the PNP Crime Lab
8. Which of the following is NOT a function of the BFP?
A. Fire investigation
B. Fire safety inspection
C. Drug enforcement
D. Fire suppression
9. Fire protection focuses mainly on:
A. Punishing offenders
B. Preventing fire incidents
C. Court litigation
D. Media reporting
10. Criminologists may assist in fire cases primarily through:
A. Fire suppression
B. Evidence handling and investigation
C. Building design
D. Rescue operations
11. Fire incidents affect society primarily by causing:
A. Traffic congestion
B. Property loss and death
C. Political instability only
D. Noise pollution
12. The enforcement of fire safety laws is primarily the responsibility of the:
A. Barangay
B. Courts
C. Bureau of Fire Protection
D. Commission on Audit
13. Which law strengthened penalties and enforcement for fire-related violations?
A. RA 8551
B. RA 9514
C. RA 9165
D. RA 6975
14. Fire protection as a discipline involves which of the following fields?
A. Science and law
B. Medicine only
C. Architecture only
D. Journalism
15. Which role does a criminologist play in fire protection?
A. Firefighter
B. Investigator and analyst
C. Architect
D. Electrician
16. One major reason fires are investigated is to determine:
A. Weather conditions
B. Electrical voltage
C. Cause and responsibility
D. Firefighter performance
17. Fire safety education is considered a form of:
A. Punishment
B. Prevention
C. Litigation
D. Suppression
18. Which agency works closely with the BFP in criminal fire cases?
A. PNP
B. DOH
C. DepEd
D. DFA
19. Fire protection contributes to public safety by:
A. Reducing court cases
B. Preventing loss of life and property
C. Increasing penalties
D. Improving building design only
20. The study of fire protection prepares criminology students to:
A. Design fire trucks
B. Investigate and prevent fire-related crimes
C. Practice medicine
D. Teach physics
ANSWER KEY
1. B
2. C
3. C
4. C
5. B
6. B
7. B
8. C
9. B
10. B
11. B
12. C
13. B
14. A
15. B
16. C
17. B
18. A
19. B
20. B
WEEK 1
Course Orientation at Panimula sa Fire Protection
Asignatura: Fire Protection and Arson Investigation
Programa: BS Criminology
I. PANGKALAHATANG-IDEYA NG KURSO AT MGA INAASAHAN
Ang asignaturang Fire Protection and Arson Investigation ay tumatalakay sa pag-
aaral ng sunog bilang isang panganib sa kaligtasan ng publiko at bilang isang
posibleng krimen. Pinagsasama nito ang kaalaman sa agham, batas, at
imbestigasyon, na mahalaga sa gawain ng isang criminologist.
Ang kurso ay nahahati sa dalawang pangunahing bahagi:
1. Fire Protection – tumutukoy sa pag-iwas sa sunog, fire safety, mga batas ukol
sa sunog, at mga fire protection system
2. Arson Investigation – tumutukoy sa pagsisiyasat sa pinagmulan at sanhi ng
sunog, paghawak ng ebidensiya, pagbuo ng kaso, at pagharap sa hukuman
Ang kursong ito ay nakabatay sa Republic Act No. 9514 o Fire Code of the
Philippines at sa mandato ng Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
Mga Inaasahan sa mga Mag-aaral:
Regular na pagpasok sa klase
Aktibong pakikilahok sa talakayan
Pag-unawa sa mga batayang konsepto ng sunog
Pagkilala sa papel ng criminologist sa fire-related cases
Pagsunod sa disiplina, etika, at fire safety protocols
II. KAHALAGAHAN NG FIRE PROTECTION SA CRIMINOLOGY
Mahalaga ang fire protection sa larangan ng criminology dahil ang sunog ay maaaring
magdulot ng:
Pagkamatay ng tao
Malaking pinsala sa ari-arian
Pagkagambala sa kaayusan ng komunidad
Hindi lahat ng sunog ay aksidente. Ang ilan ay sinadya at maituturing na arson, na
isang krimeng may kaukulang parusa sa ilalim ng batas.
Papel ng Criminologist sa Fire Protection:
1. Pag-iwas (Prevention) – pagtukoy sa mga fire hazard at pagtulong sa
pagpapatupad ng fire safety laws
2. Imbestigasyon – pagtulong sa pagtukoy kung aksidente o sinadya ang sunog
3. Pag-iingat ng Ebidensiya – tamang paghawak at dokumentasyon ng
ebidensiya
4. Pagsuporta sa Pag-usig ng Kaso – pakikipag-ugnayan sa BFP, PNP, at
piskalya
5. Pagbibigay ng Testimonya sa Hukuman – paglahad ng katotohanan batay sa
ebidensiya
III. KASAYSAYAN NG FIRE PROTECTION SA PILIPINAS
Panahon ng Kastila
Noong panahon ng Kastila, ang fire protection ay walang organisadong sistema. Ang
mga tao sa komunidad ang nagtutulungan sa pag-apula ng sunog gamit ang simpleng
kagamitan.
Panahon ng Amerikano
Dito nagsimula ang organisadong fire brigades, paggamit ng makabagong
kagamitan, at pagpapatupad ng mga panuntunan sa fire safety.
Pagkatapos ng Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig
Ang fire services ay isinama sa mga lokal na pulisya, ngunit kulang sa kagamitan at
tauhan.
Pagkakatatag ng Bureau of Fire Protection
RA 6975 (1990) – lumikha sa Bureau of Fire Protection bilang hiwalay na
ahensya
RA 9514 (2008) – pinalakas ang Fire Code of the Philippines, kasama ang mas
mabigat na parusa at mas malinaw na tungkulin ng BFP
Mahalagang tandaan na ang RA 9165 ay batas ukol sa ilegal na droga, hindi tungkol
sa sunog.
IV. PANGKALAHATANG-IDEYA NG BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION (BFP)
Ang Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) ay pangunahing ahensya ng pamahalaan na
may tungkulin sa pag-iwas at pagsugpo ng sunog sa bansa.
Legal na Batayan:
RA 6975 – paglikha ng BFP
RA 9514 – Fire Code of the Philippines
Mga Pangunahing Gawain ng BFP:
1. Pagpapatupad ng fire safety laws
2. Fire prevention at fire suppression
3. Fire safety inspection sa mga gusali at establisimyento
4. Fire investigation at pagtukoy sa sanhi ng sunog
5. Fire safety education sa komunidad
Pakikipag-ugnayan sa Ibang Ahensya:
PNP – tulong sa imbestigasyon ng arson
LGUs – lokal na pagpapatupad at disaster preparedness
Mga Criminologist – katuwang sa pagsisiyasat at pagbuo ng kaso
V. PANGWAKAS NA PAALAALA
Ang fire protection ay hindi lamang tungkol sa pag-apula ng apoy. Ito ay tungkol sa
pag-iwas sa sunog, pagtukoy sa katotohanan, at pananagutan ng mga may sala.
Bilang mga future criminologists, mahalagang maunawaan ninyo ang sunog bilang
isang usaping pangkaligtasan at pangkatarungan.