DRUG TEST. Personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Antique province submit to drug testing in support of their drug-free workplace policy. BFP Antique Provincial Fire Marshal Supt. Patricio Collado said in an interview Tuesday (June 6, 2023) that the first batch of 106 personnel tested negative for illegal drugs. (PNA photo courtesy of BFP Antique)
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – All 106 personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Antique province who submitted their specimens on the first day of the two-day drug test set on June 5-6 came out negative for illegal drugs.
Another batch of 106 who underwent a similar test on Tuesday is still waiting for their results.
“The personnel were cleared of illegal drugs,” said BFP Antique Provincial Fire Marshal Supt. Patricio Collado, referring to those with negative results, in an interview on Tuesday.
Those who will test positive for using illegal drugs will be subjected to an administrative investigation.
The drug test conducted simultaneously with their physical fitness examination (PFE) was in support of BFP's drug-free workplace policy.
“The physical fitness examination and drug testing are intended to ensure the BFP personnel are healthy all the time,” Collado said.
The PFE test was done to find out if their personnel are fit to carry out their work, especially in case of fire incidents.
A medical team checked on their blood pressure and other vital signs before they were asked to perform carry hose, push-up, and sit-up exercises, he added.
The physical fitness can help in the early detection of illnesses for them to seek further medical interventions.
Only 211 personnel, however, underwent the PFE since a female firefighter from the San Jose de Buenavista fire station has just returned from maternity leave.
“The employee was excused or given an order of ‘no go’ by the BFP Health Service Station,” said San Jose de Buenavista fire station commander Inspector Vic Matta in a separate interview.
Matta and his 38 personnel were among those who submitted to the drug test on Tuesday. (PNA)
