Becoming a firefighter takes much more than courage. It requires discipline, physical fitness, mental resilience, and a genuine commitment to protecting lives and property. Every emergency call presents unique challenges, and firefighters must be prepared to make quick decisions under intense pressure. Aside from extinguishing fires, they also perform rescue operations, provide emergency assistance during disasters, conduct fire prevention inspections, and educate communities about fire safety.
If you have always dreamed of serving the public while pursuing a stable government career, joining the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) may be an excellent choice. Firefighters play a vital role in keeping communities safe, making them one of the country’s most respected public servants.
The Philippines continues to experience a shortage of firefighters. According to Presidential Decree No. 1184 (The Fire Code of the Philippines), the ideal ratio is one firefighter for every 2,000 inhabitants. Unfortunately, many cities and municipalities still fall far below this requirement. For example, Quezon City, with a population of more than three million people, has only a few hundred firefighters, resulting in a much higher firefighter-to-population ratio than what the law prescribes.
To address this shortage, the Bureau of Fire Protection regularly opens recruitment for qualified applicants. If you are interested in becoming a Fire Officer I (FO1), this guide explains the qualifications, documentary requirements, salary, benefits, and practical tips to help you prepare for the application process.
What Does a Firefighter Do?
Many people think firefighters simply respond to fires. In reality, the job involves much more than extinguishing flames.
Firefighters are responsible for responding to different types of emergencies, including residential and commercial fires, vehicular accidents, floods, earthquakes, building collapses, hazardous material incidents, and rescue operations. They also provide first aid to injured victims while waiting for emergency medical personnel to arrive.
Aside from emergency response, firefighters regularly inspect buildings to ensure compliance with the Fire Code, investigate the causes of fires, conduct fire drills, educate communities about fire prevention, and maintain firefighting equipment and vehicles. They also participate in disaster preparedness programs and assist other government agencies during calamities.
Because emergencies can occur at any time, firefighters work rotating shifts and must always be physically and mentally prepared to respond immediately whenever duty calls.
Minimum Qualifications for Fire Officer I (FO1)
To qualify for appointment as a Fire Officer I, an applicant must satisfy the minimum qualifications prescribed by the Bureau of Fire Protection.
An applicant must:
- Be a Filipino citizen.
- Be at least 21 years old but not more than 30 years old at the time of appointment.
- Possess a bachelor’s degree from a government-recognized college or university.
- Possess Second-Level Civil Service Eligibility, RA 1080 Eligibility, PD 907 Eligibility, or other eligibility recognized by the Civil Service Commission.
- Be of good moral character.
- Have never been dishonorably discharged or dismissed from previous government or private employment.
- Have never been convicted by final judgment of a crime involving moral turpitude.
- Pass the required medical, physical, neuro-psychiatric, and drug examinations.
Height Requirement
Applicants must also satisfy the minimum height requirement:
- Male: at least 1.57 meters (5’2″)
- Female: at least 1.52 meters (5’0″)
Applicants belonging to Indigenous Cultural Communities or Muslim Filipinos may be granted a height waiver subject to existing BFP policies.
Weight Requirement
Applicants must not be more than five kilograms above or below the standard weight corresponding to their height, age, and sex. Maintaining proper physical fitness is essential because firefighting involves carrying heavy equipment, climbing ladders, dragging hoses, and rescuing victims.
Driver’s License Advantage
Although not mandatory, applicants who possess a Professional Driver’s License and a TESDA National Certificate II (NC II) in Driving are often given priority during recruitment. Fire stations continuously need qualified drivers who can safely operate fire trucks and emergency vehicles.
Fire Officer I Requirements
The journey to your future career as a firefighter starts with the application process. But before taking the first step, prepare the following documentary requirements first. Here they are:
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- An application letter indicating the position and item you are applying for.
- A fully-accomplished Personal Data Sheet (CSC Form 212 Revised 2017). It must be handwritten using a black ballpen only. Do not use a sign pen.
- Copy of authenticated Transcript of Records and College Diploma;
- Photocopy of authenticated Certificate of Eligibility from the Civil Service Commission (CSC) or Report of Rating/Board Rating authenticated by Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
- Photocopy of Certificate of Live Birth issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)
- For married applicants, please submit a copy of the Certificate of Marriage issued by the PSA.
- Authenticated copy of the following: Barangay clearance, Mayor, Police Clearance, RTC, MTC and NBI Clearances;
- Certificates of Training, if any;
- A certification from a government health facility or a DOH-accredited private laboratory that the following laboratory examinations were performed:
- ECG
- Urinalysis
- CBC with blood-typing
- Hepa-B Screening
- Cholesterol
- Creatinine
- Chest X-Ray
- Fasting Blood Sugar
- Serum Pregnancy Test (for female applicants)
- Dental Panoramic X-Ray
Submit all the following documents in a properly tabbed folder to the Human Resource Management Division of BFP National Headquarters or any BFP Regional Offices near you. For more information, you may contact:
Recruitment and Selection Section
Bureau of Fire Protection-National Headquarters (BFP-NHQ)
Agham Rd, Bagong Pag-asa, Quezon City, 1105 Metro Manila
Tel. Nos. (+632) 426-02-19/426-02-46 loc. 205.
Fire Officer 1 Salary Grade and Benefits
A newly recruited Fire Officer 1 will enjoy a salary of Php 29,668.00 or a Salary Grade 10. In addition to the basic salary, you shall be entitled to longevity pay, daily hazard pay as well as clothing and food allowances. Since you are working in the government, you shall enjoy the security of tenure and free advance training and seminars.
Tips to Become a Fire Officer in the BFP
As I said earlier, becoming a firefighter involves lots of extra work. Passing the Fire Officer Examination and the application process is just the tip of the iceberg. To increase your chances of passing the selection process and training, we compiled a list of tips for would-be fire officers. Here they are:
1. Be Ready
Make sure that you are serious about becoming a firefighter. It is not just an ordinary job. The firefighter’s job is a tough and challenging one. It takes commitment, dedication, and determination to serve the protection of the people.
2. Become a Volunteer
You will raise the chances of passing to the roof once they found out that you were previously a volunteer firefighter. If given a chance, become a volunteer to get an idea of the role of a firefighter and the operation of a fire department.
3. Be Physically Fit
Being physically fit will help you pass rigid training as a Fire Officer. To give you an idea of what lies ahead, you’ll be carrying a dummy much heavier than you or holding a high-pressure fire hose on the training. Similarly, an agility test is required to qualify for the training program. In order to pass the agility test, you must train yourself on cardio exercises, pull-ups, push-ups and sit-ups even before submitting the application requirements.
4. Prepare Early for the Application
The first thing you have to do is to secure first the Certificate of Eligibility or the Board rating months before filing the application. Getting these requirements takes time especially if you are from the provinces. The next step is to obtain those requirements from the regional offices and lastly, the ones from the local government offices.
5. Do not Hesitate to Ask
Go to your local BFP Fire Station and ask a fire officer about his experiences in the recruitment process to give you an idea of what lies ahead of you.
Conclusion
Becoming a firefighter in the Philippines is more than securing a government job. It is a profession built on courage, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to public service. Every emergency presents an opportunity to save lives, protect property, and provide hope to people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Although the recruitment process is highly competitive and physically demanding, the rewards extend beyond salary and government benefits. Firefighters enjoy a meaningful career, continuous professional development, job security, and the satisfaction of serving their communities. If you meet the qualifications and are willing to dedicate yourself to the responsibilities of the profession, start preparing your documents, improve your physical fitness, and watch for official BFP recruitment announcements. Your journey toward becoming one of the country’s next Fire Officers could begin today.
need po ba graduate ng college?
ask ko lang po pano kapag nag cesarean delivery? ilan yrs po iintayin para makapag apply
Pwede po ba mag apply sa bfp ang cesarian section po?
clarify ko lang po…if pwede pong mag take ng exam andbmag apply for fire office ung age less than 35, thanks in advance po sa sasagot
Di ka pa nga kumuha ng Test bagsak ka na.
Kailangan din po malaman ng mga aplikante na ang training ay hindi free. Lahat po ay babayaran ng mga trainee. Bukod sa mga gamit na kailangan mong dalhin sa training kagaya ng sarili mong higaan, combat boots etc, bibilhin mo rin ang uniform, babayaran ang pagkain, ang training. Kailangan po pinapaalam na sa mga aplikante ang amount na babayaran nila sa training at naka itemize kung para saan ang mga babayarang ito.
Magkano ang babayaran?
Makakalikasang umaga po!, tanong ko lang po if registered forester ng PRC ang isang aplikante kailangan pa po ba mag take ng FOE?
Kapag reactive po ba result ng Hepa B screening, wala ng chance makapasok.?
Hi, ask ko lang po if qualified pa mag-apply for FO1 if nagkaroon na ng operation (C-section or other abdominal operation)? Thank you.
Pwede po ba mag take examination sa foe kahit wala csc? Anu po ba position na pwede ma take exam na no need csc? Thank you
Yes po. Pag wala ka pa CSC professional elegibility, pwede ka kumuha ng FOE.
then pag nakapag take kana po and makapasa ka elegibility na po ba yun for BFP? Salamat godbless po <3
yes
Good day! Mag tatanong lang ako kapag kulang ka ng isang ngipin? Pwede kapoba mag apply?
Up
Is 20/30 -4 eye vision still acceptable?
Tatanggapin po ba ung may mga scars sa BFP ?
Hello po good morning.. 31 na po ako nong Feb. ngayong taon.. pag May waiver po ba, swede nang mag apply?, panu kong bachelor degree lang at walang eligibility na napasa? Pwede parin po bang mag apply?, 6years na po akong government employee as job order sa MDRRMO as Rescuer.. pwede rin kaya maka apply?, oh kailang po talaga ang eligibility para maka apply? Thanks po
Yes, kailangan na po ng age waiver at kailangan pa din po ng second-level eligibility to qualify.
Hello po,
Ask ko lang po, like NAPOLCOM EXAM may separate po ba na exam for BFP ? may nakita po kasi ako BFP exam sched 2020.
Thank you in advance 🙂
Yes. Search for Fire Officer Exam 2020.
Hello po i am a woman and i want to apply
.my question is may tattoo ako sa likod small lng sya and not visible if i wear tshirt. Bawal po ba may tattoo?
bawal po ang may tattoo maam. kailangan mo ipabura muna.
Hello po. Sana pansinin.
Kumpleto po ako sa eligibility at board passer.
Bs criminology graduate.
My only problem is malabo po mata ko.
Pwede po ba ako maka pasok sa bfp?
Thanks in advance sa sasagot ?
pano kumuha ng height waiver kahit walang tribe?
Hello. Paano po pag may sira ang ngipin or pustiso ang ngipin? Pwede parin po ba mag apply? Thank you po
up.
Good day po Sir. Interesado po ako mag pasa ng application ko. Kelan po ang application for the quota of 2019? Meron pa po ba this coming months po.
kailangan mo muna ipapasta yang mga sirang ngipin po strikto sila sa dental
Hi kelan ho ba ang schedules ng exam ng BFP for year 2019? Advantage ho ba ang license ng isang safety officer?
March / April lang po bba talaga application?
Hello po, pwd pa po bang humabol s application for the quota of 2019?
paano po mag enroll BFP?
paano po mag enroll sa BFP? need po muna maging PNPA graduate?
Hi, ask ko lang po pwede pabang mag apply ang married women basta pasok sya sa lahat nang qualifications?
yes po pwede. kuha kalang nga certificate sa PSA
Hello po. Sir wala pa ko civil service pero BSIT grad. Po ako. Pwede pa din ba ako magapply?
Hindi po.
Sir I am a licensed Mechanical Engineer. Same po ba process if mag apply ako as part of Engineering team?
Yes. pareho lang.
Hi ano po dapat weight pag 5 8 ft tall?? male po.ty
hello po ask ko if pwede po ba na later na mag pa ayus ng ngipin kapag mag apply sa BFP?wala naman po sira ngipin ko ung sa ilalim lang po ung isa kong ngipin hindi medyo pantay…
Kung wala naman sira, wala problem dun.
Ano pong meron sa dental health? Is it a big deal po ba? If so, why po?
Hello po! Ask ko lang po if needed ko pa po ng Eligibility from CSC kahit graduate po ako ng BS Computer Engineering? Pls. response po. Thanks
Hello anu po b tlga age limit sir 21 to 30 po b or 21 to 35 thankyou
yesir. kailangan ng CSC or PRC. if graduate ka ng course na walang board exam kailangan mo ipasa ang CSC
Hi! Good day po! ask ko lang po kung possible po ba maqualify if hindi natapos ang baccalaureate degree pero civil service passer po… salamat
Hindi po. You need at least a bachelor’s degree to qualify.
Hi ask lang po. Pasok naman ako lahat sa nabanggit na requirements (age, degree, eligibility), one thing lang gumagamit ako nang corrected eyeglass.. May chance kaya na papasa ako dito? Thank you.
Hello admins & everyone! Wonderful day! Does firefighting administration allow age waiver? I look forward to your answer… Thanks
Hi po nakita ko po part ng training na bubuhatin yung bag gamit yung ngipin.
Pwede po ba sa BFP training naka braces. Nakita ko po kasi na binubuhat yung bag gamit yung ngipin. Kung nakabraces po ako maaari pong masira ngipin ko.
Pwede po ba na hindi gawin yung bubuhatin yung bag gamit yung ngipin?
Tnx po
Hello po?pwede po bang gamitin yong pdl 123 sa pagprocess ng age waiver?hindi po kasi ako affilliated to NCIP/MCIP..criminology passer at foe passer po ako, tapos mayron po ako NC II certificate sa Automotive Mechanic and Weilding kaso mag 31 napo ako this coming feb 26
sir, yung height po ba fix na talaga na 5’2 for female? hindi po talaga pwede kahit 5’1 and something po? thank you sa response..
Yes po. Unless you are a member of indigenous peoples. You can apply for a height waiver if you are one.
Hello. Clarify ko lang. Kasi based sa qualifications posted sa same site, “no height requirement”
(please refer to this link – https://topnotcher.ph/fire-officer-examination-schedule-requirements/ )
Pero sa article abt “How to Be a Firefighter in the Philippines”, dapat 5’2 for female.
Please clarify naman po to avoid confusion.
Sa FOE kasi wala height requirement, pero pag nag-apply ka na sa BFP, meron na.
Okey lang po ba ang may tattoo sa katawan?kevin aaron ventura tambalong yan po ang pangalan ko sa facebook para makita nyo po kong okey lang isang tattoo sa braso, left and right shoulder ,isa sa dib dib handa akong ipabura yong nasa daliri ko po kong kina kailangan kasi maliliit lang naman
Good day! Ask ko lang po if kailangan ko pa mag waiver kc po 30 na po ako at this year po ng july mag 31 na pwede pa po kaya ako mag apply for FO1?
hi good afternoon. Gusto ko po mag apply ng Bfp taga negros po ako at LET passer po. kailan po ba recruitment this 2019? salamat
good day po paano po ba mag apply ng height waiver kung pdl nc 2 and 3 yung hawak mopo?salamat po sa sagot
Magandang Buhay po, nais ko lamang pong magtanong kung ano ba talaga ang unang gagawin ko kung mag-aaply bilang firefighter kinakailangan po bang puntahan ang Regional Office ng BFP upang mag inquire? O pde ng mag process ng paunang requirements?? Salamat po
Try mo mag-inquire sa malapit na BFP FIre Station.
hello po. ilang days po ba ang training if ever na nakatanggap ako?
Hi.. Ok lang po ba kung malabo ang mata.. May eyeglass akong gamit at contact lens, makakapsok po kaya kung nakasalamin? Thanks sa answerr po..
Good pm, okay lang po ba ang PRC license as substitute sa CSC? I’m an architect po kasi.
And btw? Ano pong requirements pagdating sa vision? Kailangan po ba 20/20? Thanks
Yes pwede. ABout sa vision, mas maganda kung 20/20.
pwd po b mag apply khit may pustiso??thanks
Hi I have a bachelor’s degree po and LET passer din po ako. pwede po mag-apply?
Yes, kung pasok ka pa sa age limit and other qualifications.
GOOD day po. about xa mga clearances na requirements,pwedi naba akong kumuha or antayin ko nlang ang 2019 kc mag aapply po ako nxt year po..
please advise thank you
Wait mo na lang next year.
hi po, ask kolang po kasi csc passer po ako neto lang august 2018 exam… gusto ko po sana magapply sa BFP.. yun nga lang vocational course lang po natapos ko.. may other way pa po ba para makaapply ako as bfp sir/maam? thankyou po in advance sa reply.
I’m sorry but you need a baccalaureate degree to qualify.
Hi sir, 5’2 po height ko. Female po ako. 21 years old. Ilan po ba dapat ang weight ko?
Sir ano po yong mga requirements sa pagkuha nga age waiver? san po yon makukuha sa regional office po ba?
Hi, Gusto ko lang po iclarify kung ano ang next step after passing the FOE. And regarding sa eye condition, bawal po ba ang may astigmatism?
Next, magsubmit ng application kung open na ang recruitment. About sa eye condition mo, sa medical at physical exam malalaman kung uubra ba or not.
Hi, Im currently 26 and have a pro CSC (not sure if that is level 1 or 2). Just want to ask when is the next recruitment. Looking forward for your response. Thank you!
Maybe next year pa. Let’s wait for the announcement na lang.
Dina po ba pwede ang 37 years of age? Pinsan ko po sa America nakapag Air force po siya kahit nasa 44 years of age na po siya may asawa. tita ko nasa 54 yrs old pumasa sa test at naging FBI sa america? Some people want to serve the country, but because of some policy like age discrimination here in our country, doesn’t give opportunity to other people who have also have good potential, and they are also deserving for the job and service required…
Paano po pag may eye problem, still qualified din po ba?
Depende po sa results ng medical exam mo.
Hi there,
I have CSC 2nd level eligibility na po but I have an eye problem and currently using eyeglasses. Is there a chance that I can be a firefighter?
Looking forward to your response.
Sila lang po makapagsasabi base sa results ng medical exam nyo. Try nyo mag-apply next recruitment.
Sir / Ma’am kakapasa ko palang nung june 24, ano po nxt step?
While training po my salary na po ba?
Good day po, pwede po ba may dentures?sa harapan?thank you po..
Sir ask lang po. Kilan po next exam sa fire. Tnx po.
sir panu po kumuha ng age waiver?
Paano po pag oic passer sa marina un po ung board exam ng seaman.. need pa po ba mag exam ng civil service?
Sir ask lang po ako. Ano po next step once na makapasa sa exam for FO1? Passer for ako last exam june 2018.
hello Topnotcher ph. , ask lang po ano ang process flow matapos maka pasa sa exam? ano gagawin ?
Hello sir. Pano po mag apply as volunteer fire fighter?
Oic marina exam passer need pa ba mag exam ng civil service
Sir puede po ba ako meron na po akong approved waiver galing sa BFP NHQ tapos last April 2018 was my 36th birthday. Am I still qualify for the June 2018 quota? Thank you for your quick response and God bless.
Magtanong po kayo sa pinakamalapit na BFP station or provincial office. Sila po makakasagot sa tanong nyo.
Pano po makapasa ang 34 y. O ngaung FOE? Pwedi pba syang mkapag apply sa BFP?
Need mo na ng age waiver.
Matanong ko lang po pano if pumasa ako sa FOE ngaung buwan tapos 34 na po ko ngaun, pwedi paba ako mkapag apply sa BFP po?
You need to secure an age waiver before submitting your application.
good day sir, ask ko lang po if pwede po magapply ng fo1 ang may dental crown po? at pano po if over weight upon filling application?
tnx sir
Ask ko lang po if you are in the training stage, meron po bang allowance?
Hi. Kelan po mag papa medical? Kasabay po ba yan sa papasa ng documents? Or after pa po ng evaluation dun na po magpapa medical? Thank you
Papamedical ka po muna sa isang government-accredited hospital before ka magpasa ng application.
Is it okay po ba if the applicant has tattoo?
Hindi po.
Kahit under the clothes tattoo di parin po pwede?
kaoag csc passer k n po ba hindi na kaylangan mam FOE?
Yes, basta professional level.
Ask ko lang po kung yung training is with salary na kaagad?
UNG CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH PO B NDI N KAILANGAN N AUTHENTICATED OK NBA UNG XEROX COPY LNG?
Lahat po b require mgtake ng qualifying exam???
Good day sir..ask ko lang po about age,30 na po ako now, oct1 po bday ko saktong oathtaking.currently employed po sa government kelangan pa po ba age waiver?salama po
I’m not sure about that. Mag inquire ka po sa BFP REgional Office.
Good day sir..ask ko lang po about age,30 na po ako now, oct1 po bday ko saktong oathtaking.currently employed po sa government kelangan pa po ba age waiver?salama po
pag napasa na po lahat ng requirements, kaylan po malalaman kung pasok ka sa mga mahahire ngayong 2018?
Follow this guide: https://topnotcher.ph/bfp-recruitment-calendar-of-activities/
sir. nauuna po ba physical exam sa qualifying exams ng fo1 applicants? haha. kalokohan na ata kasi nangyayari sa ro1. pinatuwad na mga applicants dipa natatapos mag exam. dipa sila siguradong papasa sa exam. pinatuwad na silang nakahubad. which is maling mali.
Hi Sir tanong ko lang po if san makikita kung open na ang filling for examinantion ng bfp?
Thanks
You mean FOE? If FOE, tapos na po ang filing last April 27 pa.
Mag eenrol pa po ba ng nc2 sa tesda if meron na professional drivers license with restriction 123?
Hindi na po pero need mo din mag undergo ng trade/skills test.
Hello, yung nasa list lang po ba ang requirements o kailangan mo pa i-attached sa application mo ung medical certificate,etc. Thanksss
Sorry, I forgot to include the medical certificates as part of the requirements. Kailangan mo muna magpa medical sa isang government health facility or DOH-accredited private laboratory. Isasama mo ang certificate/s sa application folder.
sir pwede po ba magpamedical kahit ala pa yung nxt hiring ? or dapat recent lang? thanks po
Dapat recent po.
Ask ko lang po. Ilan po ba ang kailangan na healthy teeth para sa application for FO? And allowed pa po ba ang nag undergo na ng cesarean section?
Pasent namaan po ang reviewr ng FOE
SALMAT N GODBLESS
Good day po! May mga requirements n ko po at malapit ko na mapasa ang sa waiver, tanong ko lang kung papasa kaya ako sa physical test kasi malabo po ang mga mata ko? Dream ko kasi mag firewoman ehh.. Para kung hindi po, hindi ko na itutuloy ang pagasikaso sa waiver. Thanks in advance po!
Tapos na po ang application for the waiver last January pa. About sa eye condition mo, mukhang mahihirapan ka makapasok dahil dyan.
Hi good evening po. Yung firetruck driver po ba is the same lang yung salary sa FO1? Thanks po
any qouta this year for region 7?
Kapag po ba LET passer kana magtatake kaparin po ba ng FOE? Thanks
Hello, yung nasa list lang po ba ang requirements o kailangan mo pa i-attached sa application mo ung medical certificate,etc. Thanksss
Hi, I will be turning 30, am I still qualified to apply?