Navigating the Firefighters’ Experiences in Responding to Fire Incidents: Through Photovoice


Authors : Mar Cedric R. Amorcillo; Raymond R. Jayson; Jaymark L. Segovia; Bretny Rose C Bongcawil; Kristal May V. Maldepeña; Jose F. Cuevas Jr.

Volume/Issue : Volume 9 - 2024, Issue 11 - November


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/253wtyj8

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/3fva9bpw

DOI : https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14292533


Abstract : This study explores the challenges faced by firefighters during fire incidents, focusing on their emotional experiences, the impact of negligence, and the critical role of preparedness. Conducted with 20 firefighters selected through purposive sampling, the research utilized a photovoice methodology to collect data, combining interviews and photographs to capture the lived experiences of participants. The study identified four key themes: (1) Fear and Responsibility in responding to fire; (2) The Battle Against Negligence; (3) The Emotional Rollercoaster of Firefighting; and (4) Failure to Prioritize Personal Protective Equipment. The findings underscore the need for improved public fire safety education, emotional resilience training for firefighters, and ongoing investment in proper equipment and team coordination. Recommendations include enhancing firefighter training programs, increasing community awareness of fire risks, and ensuring mental health support for first responders. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of the multifaceted challenges of firefighting and the strategies that can improve safety and effectiveness in the field.

Keywords : Emotional Resilience, Firefighter Challenges, Fire Safety Education, Firefighting Training, Personal Protective Equipment.

References :

  1. Conway, R. R., & Waring, S. (2021). Facilitators and barriers to developing firefighter resilience. Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, 30(3), 327-339. Retrieved on May 19, 2024 from: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/DPM-06-2018-0186/full/html
  2. Cassidy, P., McConnell, N., & Boyce, K. (2021). The older adult: associated fire risks and current challenges for the development of future fire safety intervention strategies. Fire and materials, 45(4), 553-563. Retrieved on November 16, 2024 from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/fam.2823

 

 

  1. Cahill, B. (2023). The school of flames. Knowledge retention models for recruit firefighters (Doctoral dissertation, Dublin City University). Retrieved on: October 27, 2024 from: https://doras.dcu.ie/29300/
  2. Florentin, K. M., Onuki, M., Esteban, M., Valenzuela, V. P., Paterno, M. C., Akpedonu, E., ... &Garciano, L. (2022). Implementing a Pre‐disaster Recovery Workshop in Intramuros, Manila, Philippines: lessons for disaster risk assessment, response, and recovery for cultural heritage. Disasters, 46(3), 791-813. Retrieved on May 19, 2024 from: http://surl.li/ttodp
  3. Guilaran, J., De Terte, I., Kaniasty, K., & Stephens, C. (2021). Received social support and post-traumatic stress symptoms in New Zealand and Philippine emergency responders. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 40(2), 153-174. Retrieved on May 19, 2024 from: https://guilfordjournals.com/doi/abs/10.1521/jscp.2021.40.2.153
  4. Grabowski, A. (2021). Practical skills training in enclosure fires: An experimental study with cadets and firefighters using CAVE and HMD-based virtual training simulators. Fire safety journal, 125, 103440. Retrieved on October 27 2024 from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0379711221001818
  5. Houton, J. (2022). The Lived Experience of Firefighters and Emergency Medical Services Workers Seeking Help For Symptoms of Traumatic Stress Exposure (Doctoral dissertation, Neumann University). Retrieved on May 19, 2024 from: https://www.proquest.com/openview/e8d64d4f48b09a2e62e2d9dbaff9bc62/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
  6. Hudson, J. (2022). Firefighter Emotional Wellness: How to Reconnect with Yourself and Others. Fire Engineering Books. Retrieved on November 16, 2024 from: shorturl.at/aT2my
  7. Holmes, F. M. (2020). Firemen and their Exploits. BoD–Books on Demand. Retrieved on November 16, 2024 from: shorturl.at/izQif
  8. Herberg, M., &Torgersen, G. E. (2021). Resilience competence face framework for the unforeseen: relations, emotions and cognition. A qualitative study. Frontiers in psychology, 12, 669904. Retrieved on: October 29, 2024 from: http://surl.li/kcirfp
  9. Hudson, J. (2022). Firefighter Emotional Wellness: How to Reconnect with Yourself and Others. Fire Engineering Books. Retrieved on: October 29, 2024 from: http://surl.li/liogza
  10. Khan, N., Lee, D., Baek, C., & Park, C. S. (2020). Converging technologies for safety planning and inspection information system of portable firefighting equipment. IEEE Access, 8, 211173-211188. Retrieved on May 19, 2024 from: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/9265272
  11. Kim, D., & Li, M. (2021). Digital storytelling: Facilitating learning and identity development. Journal of Computers in Education, 8(1), 33-61. Retrieved on May 19, 2024 from:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40692-020-00170-9
  12. Kumar, K., & Paul, V. K. (2023). Significance of Fire Protection System Reliability for Structure Fire Safety. Structural engineering digest, Issue October-December, 42-25. Retrieved on March 26, 2024 from https://shorturl.at/mxVX2
  13. Lagata, L. S., Andujar, C. J., Lantaco, E. L. S., Manuales, K. C. A., Allanic, E. A., & Cuevas Jr, J. F. (2022). Challenges Encountered and Insights of the Bureau of Fire Protection Personnel Towards Responding Fire Incident. Mediterranean Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences (MJBAS), 6(2), 103-117. Retrieved on May 19, 2024 from: https://mjbas.com/data/uploads/9641.pdf
  14. Lin, E. Y., McManus, V. M., & Adams, J. (2023). Ready to respond: Preparing firefighters for non-fire incidents. TheAustralian Journal of Emergency Management, 38(3), 42-47. Retrieved on: October 29, 2024 from: https://search.informit.org/doi/abs/10.3316/informit.225298534700338
  15. Mukumbang, F. C., & van Wyk, B. (2020). Leveraging the Photovoice methodology for critical realist theorizing. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 19, 1609406920958981. Retrieved on May 19, 2024 from: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1609406920958981
  16. Nazara, D. Y., Mendrofa, M. S. D., Telaumbanua, E., &Harefa, I. (2024). The Importance of Personal Protective Equipment in Firefighter Safety and Health Efforts in the North Nias District Fire and Rescue Field. ProBisnis: JurnalManajemen, 15(2), 149-154. Retrieved on: October 29, 2024 from: Serrano-Ibanez, E. R., Corras, T., Del Prado, M., Diz, J., & Varela, C. (2023). Psychological variables associated with post-traumatic stress disorder in firefighters: A systematic review. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 24(4), 2049-2066. Retrieved on November 17, 2024 from: https://journals.sagepub.com/ doi/full/10.1177/15248380221082944https://www.ejournal.joninstitute.org/index.php/ProBisnis/article/view/488
  17. Penney, G., Smith, G., Ridge, S., &Cattani, M. (2022). A Review of the Standard of Care Owed to Australian Firefighters from a Safety Perspective—The Differences between Academic Theory and Legal Obligations. Fire, 5(3), 73. Retrieved on May 19, 2024 from: https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6255/5/3/73
  18. Romain, A. H. (2023). Volunteer Fire Departments Confront a Challenge: Socializing for Trust While Diversifying for Survival. State University of New York at Albany. Retrieved on: October 29, 2024 from: http://surl.li/shemuj
  19. Singer, J. (2022). There are no accidents: The deadly rise of injury and disaster—Who profits and who pays the price. Simon and Schuster. Retrieved on November 16, 2024 from: https://shorturl.at/CV8ih
  20. SANDUA, D. (2024). BETWEEN INSTINCT AND REASON: THE ROLE OF FEAR IN HUMAN SURVIVAL. David Sandua. Retrieved on November 16, 2024 from: shorturl.at/QC0jm
  21. Sørensen, J. L., Mortelmans, L., Gray, L., Khorram‐Manesh, A., Hertelendy, A. J., Stray, K. N., ... &Achour, N. (2024). “Fight or flight”—A study of frontline emergency response workforce's perceived knowledge, and motivation to work during hazards. Risk, hazards & crisis in public policy. Retrieved on November 16, 2024 from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/rhc3.12314
  22. Smith, T. D., DeJoy, D. M., &Dyal, M. A. (2020). Safety specific transformational leadership, safety motivation and personal protective equipment use among firefighters. Safety science, 131, 10493Florentin, K. M., Onuki, M., Esteban, M., Valenzuela, V. P., Paterno, M. C., Retrieved on May 19, 2024 from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/ science/article/abs/pii/S0925753520303271, 9(3), 675-683. Retrieved on May 19, 2024 from: https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1274909
  23. Simonofski, A., Fink, J., &Burnay, C. (2021). Supporting policy-making with social media and e-participation platforms data: A policy analytics framework. Government Information Quarterly, 38(3), 101590. Retreived on May 19, 2024 from:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0740624X21000265
  24. Urriza, L. L. (2023). CAPABILITIES OF THE BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION RESPONDING HUMAN-INDUCED AND NATURAL DISASTERS. EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR), 9(5), 424-441. Retrieved on March 26, 2024 from https://eprajournals.net/index.php/IJMR/article/view/2165
  25. Williams, H. (2021). The meaning of “Phenomenology”: Qualitative and philosophical phenomenological research methods. The Qualitative Report, 26(2), 366-385. Retrieved on May 19, 2024 from:https://shorturl.at/9neiO
  26. Witkowski, K., Contreras, S., Remington, C. L., Headley, A. M., & Ganapati, N. E. (2024). Organizational resilience in first-response agencies: Visual responses from first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 107, 104467. Retrieved on May 19, 2024 from:https://www.sciencedirect.com/ science/article/abs/pii/S2212420924002292
  27. Younis, M. (2021). a Photo for Change: a Mixed Methods Study of Using Photovoice Pedagogy to Foster Transformative Learning Among College Students (Doctoral dissertation, University of Northern Colorado). Retrieved on May 19, 2024 from:https://shorturl.at/Yl0dS

This study explores the challenges faced by firefighters during fire incidents, focusing on their emotional experiences, the impact of negligence, and the critical role of preparedness. Conducted with 20 firefighters selected through purposive sampling, the research utilized a photovoice methodology to collect data, combining interviews and photographs to capture the lived experiences of participants. The study identified four key themes: (1) Fear and Responsibility in responding to fire; (2) The Battle Against Negligence; (3) The Emotional Rollercoaster of Firefighting; and (4) Failure to Prioritize Personal Protective Equipment. The findings underscore the need for improved public fire safety education, emotional resilience training for firefighters, and ongoing investment in proper equipment and team coordination. Recommendations include enhancing firefighter training programs, increasing community awareness of fire risks, and ensuring mental health support for first responders. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of the multifaceted challenges of firefighting and the strategies that can improve safety and effectiveness in the field.

Keywords : Emotional Resilience, Firefighter Challenges, Fire Safety Education, Firefighting Training, Personal Protective Equipment.

Never miss an update from Papermashup

Get notified about the latest tutorials and downloads.

Subscribe by Email

Get alerts directly into your inbox after each post and stay updated.
Subscribe
OR

Subscribe by RSS

Add our RSS to your feedreader to get regular updates from us.
Subscribe