LEGAL AUTHORITY
Act 43 of June 21, 1988,
as amended, known as the Puerto Rico Firefighters Corps Act.
MISSION
Prevent and extinguish fires. Determine the causes of fires in order to protect the lives and property of citizens.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
- Administration
- Audit Office
- Extinguishing Fires
- Fire Prevention
- Human Resources
- Legal Counsel
- Office of the Fire Chief
- Press and Public Relations
- Training
PROGRAMS
Fire Prevention and Extinguishing Fires Training Techniques
Program Description
This program is responsible for training all the members of the Firefighters Corps in the most advanced techniques of preventing and extinguishing of fires, rescue, first aid and medical assistance. It also organizes and trains: brigades, groups of volunteer firemen, and officials of the public and private sector in fire prevention extinguishing fires and rescue.
Customers
Employees of the Firefighters Corps and of government and private agencies.
General Management and Administration
Program Description
Provides the following services: accounting, budget, general services, correspondence, human resources, auditing, legal counsel, public relations and transportation.
Customers
Civilian personnel and agency employees
Fire Prevention and Education
Program Description
Development and implementation of measures directed at eradicating the risk of fire and educating the community.
Statistical Data |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
  |
Fire equipment exhibitions |
770 |
809 |
849 |
General exhibits |
871 |
915 |
960 |
Presentations at elementary schools |
932 |
979 |
1,028 |
Presentations to seniors |
50 |
53 |
55 |
Promotional and educational activities |
1,552 |
1,630 |
1,711 |
Customers
Owners of property and/or businesses subject to inspection (around 80,000) and citizens.
Extinguishing and Controlling Fires
Program Description
Offers the following services: putting out fire, rescue in situations of emergency and disasters, protection in cases of natural disaster, and coordination with other agencies. Attends emergency calls in situations of fires, disasters and spills of dangerous materials. Is responsible for rapidly and efficiently eradicating all types of fires, controlling its propagation and rescuing lives and properties.
Assists the Prevention of Fires Program in functions of preventive nature, such as the education of young students (the Little Firemen Program) and offers orientation services to the community. It also is dedicated to the inspection and eradication of fire risks, as well as the investigation for determining origin and cause. Provides support to other government agencies, when deployed to attend to emergencies or simulations.
Statistical Data |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
  |
Fire extinction and control |
12,718 |
12,082 |
11,478 |
Customers
All citizens, in conformance with Act No. 43 of June, 1988.
9-1-1 Emergency Service/Child Abuse Line
Program Description
Establishes a universal 9-1-1 telephone number for emergencies throughout Puerto Rico. The 9-1-1 code replaces the emergency numbers traditionally used and provides the Puerto Rican people with a uniform, easy to identify, access and dial number.
Customers
Attends citizens.
FISCAL YEAR 2012-2013 ADOPTED BUDGET
The adopted consolidated budget for Fiscal Year 2012-2013 amounts to $72,391,000. This amount include $65,496,000 from the Joint Resolution of the General Fund, $3,055,000 from Special Appropriations-General Fund, $3,000,000 from State Special Funds $540,000 in Federal Grants and $300,000 from Other Income.
Operational expenses reflect an increase of $1,939,000 when compared to funds assigned in fiscal years 2011-2012 due to an increase in Funding for the recruitment of 100 firefighters.
Resources from the Joint Resolution General Fund will be used to comply with the faculties and duties established by its Organic Act and to prevent, eradicate and determine the causes of fires to protect lives and property.
State Special Fund is generated from inspections fees and will be used as established by the Law to prevent, eradicate and determine the causes of fires to protect lives and property. The reduction in this fund corresponds to the creation and implementation of Act # 161 of December 1, 2009, known as the Puerto Rico Process and Permits Reform, that transferred resources to other agencies.
The contributing federal programs are: the Cooperative Forestry Assistance and the Child Safety and Child Booster Seat Incentive.
Other Income are fees from calls attended through the 9-1-1 Services Governing Board.
SUMMARY OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES
Consolidated Budget  (thousands $) |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
  |
Program |
  |
Operational Expenses |
Actual |
Actual |
Budget |
Adopted |
9-1-1 Emergency Service / Child Abuse Line |
7,768 |
3,632 |
7,432 |
5,086 |
Fire Extinction and Control |
56,398 |
61,130 |
52,115 |
61,452 |
Fire Prevention and Education |
4,808 |
4,440 |
3,111 |
4,055 |
Fire Prevention and Extinction Training Techniques |
324 |
340 |
187 |
344 |
General Management and Administration |
1,763 |
1,579 |
7,607 |
1,454 |
Subtotal, Operational Expenses |
71,061 |
71,121 |
70,452 |
72,391 |
Total, Program |
71,061 |
71,121 |
70,452 |
72,391 |
  |
Funding Sources |
  |
Operational Expenses |
  |
Joint Resolution - General Fund |
21,056 |
7,628 |
63,410 |
65,496 |
Special Appropriations - General Fund |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3,055 |
Local Stabilization Fund |
44,908 |
55,564 |
0 |
0 |
Federal Economic Stimulus - ARRA |
327 |
928 |
809 |
0 |
Federal Grants |
102 |
1,128 |
465 |
540 |
Other Income |
264 |
333 |
300 |
300 |
State Special Funds |
4,404 |
5,540 |
5,468 |
3,000 |
Subtotal, Operational Expenses |
71,061 |
71,121 |
70,452 |
72,391 |
Total, Funding Sources |
71,061 |
71,121 |
70,452 |
72,391 |
  |
Expense Category |
  |
Operational Expenses |
  |
Payroll and Related Expenses |
64,569 |
62,096 |
62,928 |
62,039 |
Rent and Utilities |
3,227 |
2,816 |
3,155 |
3,167 |
Purchased Services |
645 |
863 |
677 |
868 |
Donations, Subsidies, and Distributions |
33 |
31 |
40 |
40 |
Transportation Expenses |
76 |
87 |
89 |
85 |
Professional Services |
879 |
131 |
196 |
111 |
Other Expenses |
133 |
572 |
348 |
341 |
Non Distributed Allocations |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3,055 |
Previous Years Debt Payments |
0 |
215 |
150 |
100 |
Equipment Purchases |
849 |
3,029 |
1,813 |
1,300 |
Office Supplies and other Materials |
644 |
1,274 |
1,055 |
1,284 |
Advertising and Media Expenses |
6 |
7 |
1 |
1 |
Subtotal, Operational Expenses |
71,061 |
71,121 |
70,452 |
72,391 |
Total, Expense Category |
71,061 |
71,121 |
70,452 |
72,391 |
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