Nationwide text service for fire emergencies launched

MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Fire Protection’s report through text service is now nationwide.

The Department of Interior and Local Government said the public can report fire incidents anywhere in the country through text or short messaging service and expect prompt response from the BFP and private fire fighting volunteers.

Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo said the public can text the exact location of fire incidents to 0918-688888.

The text messaging service used to be confined in Metro Manila.

“Now even those in other parts of the country may text BFP and TXTFIRE (Philippines Foundation) if they need help,” Robredo said.

BFP chief, Director Rolando Bandilla, Jr. and TXTFIRE Philippines Foundation president Gerie Chua on Tuesday 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 in April.

Under the agreement, all text messages, alerts and advisories about fire, calamities and emergency situations received from the public through the TXTFire facilities shall be relayed to the nearest BFP station and fire volunteer groups.

Both parties agreed to keep an open radio communication line between them to facilitate quick access on fire alerts so they could respond 24/7.

TXTFire, which was founded by Chua, has 228,000 members nationwide and more than 4,200 volunteer groups.