Abstract

The Philippines continues to experience disastrous fires, often marking some of the worst fire incidents in history, putting properties, victims and firefighters conducting firefighting operations at risk. Thus, this phenomenological study aimed to explore the life experiences of the Bureau of Fire Protection Firefighters in performing firefighting operations in the Province of Leyte through the use of purposive convenience sampling method. This study sought to answer the three main thrusts: (1) experiences and challenges encountered by the informants in firefighting operations; (2) how they handled the problems encountered; and (3) their aspirations as a firefighter. Gathered data via individual interview and focus group discussion were analyzed by utilizing Colaizzi’s approach. Eight themes had been developed as follows: (1) For experiences in firefighting operations of the informant as BFP firefighters: (a) The Bliss in Public Service, (b) A Sworn Duty: No Place for Regrets, (c) A Misdeemed Judgment and (d) Torment as Public Servant; (2) for handling the problems encountered in firefighting operations: (a) An Obstacle to Battle, and (b) With Identifying comes Providing; and (3) for aspirations to improve the firefighting operations are (a) Aspire, Acquire and Beat the Fire, and (b) Excellence through Training. Findings of this study proved that the BFP Firefighters are grateful and of no regrets to be a member of a noble bureau and of service to the Filipino people through fighting ravenous fires, but a feeling of melancholy haunts them when demise of victims is seen in the fire scene and it digs deeper into them when people land negative comments in the performance of firefighting operations without the knowledge of the process being followed and the situation being faced. The study had also uncovered that through confronting the challenges; open communication within the organization and the community; identifying and acquiring the needs of firefighters through purchasing sophisticated firefighting equipment; and providing a specialized and refresher training to be more acquainted on the current firefighting knowledge and techniques are vital in the performance of their duties as a dauntless foe of fire in order to deliver the utmost service to the Filipino people.

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