FIRE OPERATION DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED BY THE BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION OFFICERS IN GREATER LAGRO QUEZON CITY

Abstract

Every fire scene is a battlefield where Bureau of Fire Protection officers stand at the frontline, bravely confronting danger to protect lives and property. Each emergency presents unique challenges, from limited equipment and extreme heat to unstable structures and hazardous conditions, testing their skills, endurance, and resolve. These officers embody courage and dedication as they navigate unpredictable environments to save communities and uphold public safety. This includes unsafe practices such as the improper handling of flammable materials and overloaded electrical connections. During fire emergencies, untrained civilians often panic, crowd the scene, or intervene without proper guidance, thereby creating additional hazards that jeopardize their safety as well as that of the firefighters and other responders. The data collected from eleven (11) respondents reveal that the majority, comprising seven (7) individuals or 63.63%, fall within the age range of 31 to 40 years. This is followed by two (2) respondents aged 21 to 30 years, and another two (2) respondents aged above 40 years, each representing 18.18% of the total sample.  In terms of gender distribution, males constitute the majority with seven (7) respondents, accounting for 63.64%, while females comprise four (4) respondents or 36.36%.  Regarding civil status, seven (7) respondents are married, making up 63.64% of the group, whereas four (4) respondents are single, representing 36.36%. The primary challenges faced by Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel during operations pertain to community-related issues, reflected by an overall weighted mean of 3.31, indicating a strong level of agreement among respondents.