Dousing the Balls of Fire: Challenges Facing Station Chiefs

Abstract

This is a phenomenological study on challenges faced by fire station chiefs. Phenomenological interviewing was used in data gathering and describes the meaning of the phenomenon. This study was conducted in Cebu, Central Visayas, Philippines. The informants were station chiefs who have experience in managing their fire stations. Twelve (12) informants had been selected through purposive convenience sampling. The study utilized an interview guide to elicit in-depth responses from the informants. In-depth interviews were conducted to arrive at the three-phase data collection needed in the study. The study sought to determine the following: experiences of the informants in managing their departments, informants’ manner in addressing the issues encountered in managing their departments, and informants’ aspirations for themselves and for their departments. Result revealed that two themes came up on the positive experiences of the informants in managing their departments which are: Cooperation and Teamwork of Personnel and Accomplishment of Goals and Target: Obedience and Respect. On negative experiences of the informants in managing their departments which are: Miscommunication and Fail to Achieve Target and Lack of Personnel and Equipment. On informants addressed the issues encountered in managing their departments, there were two themes which are: Imposed Policies and Guidelines in the Station and Additional Personnel in the Station. On informants’ aspirations for themselves and for their departments, two (2) themes merged: Job Dedication and Render Service to the Public. In order to solve the perennial problems that most fire stations in Central Visayas have experienced, it is hereby recommended that the fire station chiefs request from the higher office the following, to wit: downloading of additional personnel for their respective fire stations; procurement of additional tools and equipment for rescue and emergency medical services and increase of allocation for the maintenance of firefighting equipment and apparatus.