Victoria Joy Depano | Jeremy Calvin S. Enriquez | Desiree Castillo-Bisquera |
October 16, 2026
Psychology
The qualitative study aims to explore the lived experiences of firefighters after an emergency response operation, particularly their thoughts and feelings following those events, how those experiences influence their ability to perform effectively, what factors aid/hinder their performance, coping strategies to manage challenges, and how their mental health status shapes their decision-making and behavior. A total of eleven firefighters along stations in Tondo, Manila, using purposive sampling, were involved in the study, with an average of ten years. In which data was collected using face-to-face semi-structured interviews. The findings reveal that they encounter various personal, environmental, and organizational challenges that impact their well-being and performance, such as physical exhaustion, emotional stress, high-pressure decision-making scenarios, community conflicts, and resource limitations. However, they still showed solid coping mechanisms such as recreational activities, including social support from peers and family; as well as organizational support such as compensation and benefits, and financial aid, that all play a critical role in their psychological health and enhancement of their ability to respond effectively. Some firefighters demonstrated satisfaction with the current salary/benefits/support from the organization, while some still demanded necessary equipment, regular stress debriefing, and free health checkups. To conclude, maintenance of the firefighters' mental health is a collective responsibility, including the organization, wherein integration of services for this can enhance the firefighters' emotional regulation, decision-making, and efficiency during response operations. As firefighters in the Philippine context, cultivating resilience and strong interpersonal bonds are the key to their well-being and effectiveness.