The establishment of Incident Command System is not a special undertaking. It is a sensitive task to facilitate the response on emergencies and high risk situations.
This research paper appraised the operational capability of Manila Fire District towards the establishment of Incident Command System. Specifically, the study gave answers to the questions on the operational capability of Manila Fire District towards the establishment of Incident Command System in the areas of manpower capability, logistical capability, systems and procedures, and community partnership. The problems encountered by the Manila Fire District that affects its operational capability towards the establishment of Incident Command System were also answered. Measures to address the problems were also proposed and assessed by the respondents. An action plan was proposed at the end of the study. The setting of the study was the City of Manila. The respondents of this study were composed of the officers and personnel of the Manila Fire District, the selected local government officials of the City of Manila, and the officers and members of Different Volunteer Fire Brigades in the city. The period covered was January to December 2013.
The salient findings of the study were as follows. The respondents assessed the operational capability of the Manila Fire District towards the establishment of Incident Command System as “Capable” mainly due to its manpower capability. Operational capability was assessed capable with the main factor ‘ensuring that a strong, direct and visible command will be established from the onset of fire incident and other emergencies.” They also assessed the operational capability of the Manila Fire District towards the establishment of Incident Command System in terms of logistical capability as “Moderately Capable”. They assessed the operational capability of the Manila Fire District towards the establishment of Incident Command System in terms of systems and procedures as “Capable”. In terms of community partnership, the Manila Fire District was assessed as capable.
The respondents assessed the problems encountered by the Manila Fire District that affect its operational capability towards the establishment of Incident Command System as “moderately serious” mainly due to logistical problems. The serious logistical problems were the inadequate fire trucks, ambulances, rescue vehicles and other equipment in line with the ICS command structure. Moderately serious problems on manpower capability could be attributed to having no prepared organizational and operational command strategy in case fire incidents and other emergencies occur. On systems and procedures, the main moderately serious problem was on the insufficient support, resources, and all services to meet operational objectives in managing a response to a major fire or disaster. Moderately serious problem on community support could be attributed to having no formal arrangement with Volunteer Fire Brigades in their roles and command structure in response to emergency situations. The respondents assessed the proposed measures to address the problems encountered by the Manila Fire District that affect its operational capability towards the establishment of Incident Command System as highly recommended.
Based on the results of the study, the following were concluded. The operational capability of the Manila Fire District towards the establishment of Incident Command System mainly originated from having a strong, direct and visible leader for fire incidents and other emergencies; from having strong support units; from having incident objectives, strategies and priorities in managing responses to major fires or disasters; and from having continuous fire prevention campaign strategies in the community. The respondents were moderately concerned by not having a prepared organizational and operational command for fire response, inadequate vehicle and equipment, insufficient support and resources, and informal arrangement with the Volunteer Fire Brigades during response to emergencies. The operational capability of the Manila Fire District in setting up an Incident Command System can be strengthened through setting up ICS in each fire stations, increasing the logistical and equipment supplies, enhancing coordination with Volunteer Fire Brigades, and conducting fire prevention programs in the community. There were differences among the perspectives of the respondents on the operational capability of the Manila Fire District in establishing Incident Command System. These differences and critiques of the organization were expected if an organization needed to strengthen its potential. The establishment of an Incident Command System in Manila Fire District shall be composed of program such as establishing modular ICS in every fire station, augmentation of vehicle and equipment needs, strengthening the Volunteer Fire Brigades, and continuing community fire prevention campaigns.