Difficulties in the Implementation of Emergency Response in a Highly-Urbanized City: Basis for a Capability Building Plan

Abstract

The study focused on the difficulties encountered by barangay first responders in the implementation of emergency response in the areas of coordination and communication, training and information and education campaign. First responders experienced high level of difficulties in coordination and communication specifically in the clustering of barangays in order to avoid duplication of responses and prevent wastage of government resources. Respondents however, registered moderate level of difficulties in the areas of training, and information and education campaign specifically in the conduct of regular trainings for staff and support groups, and having and using independent telecommunication system, backed up by alternative communication links such as microwave and satellite systems. Older, male  respondents and those who have been involved in emergency response for a shorter period of time, have higher level of difficulties than their counterparts who were younger, female  and had longer length of service, respectively   in all three areas. Meanwhile, although no significant differences were noted in the level of difficulties in the implementation of emergency response when grouped and compared according to age, sex and length of service, the responses of first responders in individual items indicate problems specifically in coordination and communication that obtained the highest mean score, particularly in the clustering of barangays.