This is action research conducted to address concerns on inconsistencies in command in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) of Fire District IV, BFP National Capital Region. Inconsistencies in command have been an issue, especially for the EMS personnel assigned to different fire stations in Fire District IV, BFP-NCR. The BFP-EMS functions in adherence to the existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Memorandum Circular No. 2008-011 or the Amended Policies, Guidelines and Protocol on BFP-EMS Operations implemented upon approval on June 30, 2008. However, there have been inconsistencies in command because of some conflicts in the SOP with the current administrative policies and operational guidelines creating confusion among the responding EMS personnel in the lower units. Inconsistencies of command refer to the different aspects of EMS management from the administrative, operation, and logistics to finance. This action research seeks to resolve the problem through revision of the BFP- EMS Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) which we considered outdated already because it was formulated more than 14 years ago.

We selected this study to contribute to the establishment of a well-defined command system in the EMS thus, improving the performance of EMS personnel and the whole unit. Along with this effort is our aspiration that this will serve as a readily available basis to establish a standardized EMS protocol in the BFP. A more improved SOP is necessary for the agency to cope with the demand for a reliable and prompt EMS response needed in our country especially nowadays where emergency medical cases are recurrent such as road accidents, food poisoning, injuries, and disease-related emergencies.

Being part of the EMS unit of the BFP for quite some time, we have observed that these inconsistencies in command affect the effectiveness of the EMS response. We decided to collaborate with the EMS Chiefs and personnel of Fire District IV in the National Capital Region who are affected by the issue to come up with recommendations and ways to push through with the revision of the SOP. We also had a consultation with some key officers in the EMS who are already pioneers in the field to harmonize the changes in the administrative and procedural flow. In the course of the implementation, we have noted some challenges such as the hesitation of some personnel especially the non-commissioned officers to give comments on their situations. There are also many technicalities in the SOP that need further study and review. There has been optimism among the collaborators thinking about the importance and the changes the revised SOP will bring to the EMS community in the BFP. Driven by the same interest to enhance the quality of service of BFP-EMS, all collaborators have given their full support to the planned revision of SOP.

Therefore, we are confident that the revision of the EMS SOP will resolve the different issues in the command system (administrative and operational control, and logistical and financial requirements). Moreover, personnel who were involved in this effort have given their contribution thru imparting knowledge and sharing the most needed time to address the inconsistencies in EMS command.