Chapter-1-revised
Chapter-1-revised
IN DIPOLOG CITY
CHAPTER I
This chapter introduces the study with relevant literature and studies, states the
problem under study, and details the research methods used in the study.
Introduction
the scene of emergency (Jones et al., 2019; Prince et al., 2021). Emergencies can come in
many forms, may it be a natural disaster, transport accidents, terrorist attacks, threats and
hazardous material spills (e.g., fuel, chemical) are also included. Road emergencies also
occurring in urban roads like in Dipolog City. In such emergencies, the particular
individuals called to action in the Philippine context are the police officers (Philippine
Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office), and the firefighters (Bureau of Fire
Protection).
Time is the most critical factor in emergencies, especially those emerging on
roads. According to (cite), the first hour after an accident is critical for emergencies
particularly those that need medical attention to avoid further injuries and the worst,
that resources are used efficiently, reducing response times and preventing overlap. In
addition, it was also emphasized by Gehl and Plecas (2017) that efficient removal of
vehicles and debris reduces traffic congestion, minimizing the economic impact on
Despite the efforts of the responders to arrive as soon as possible, issues on responding
notably impede them. For instance, vehicular accident itself causes traffic thus this
renders delay to responding to the actual emergency (Gutierrez-Osorio & Pedraza, 2020).
Not to mention, swarming curious people can also affect emergency response. In terms of
delay, Gutierrez-Osorio and Pedraza (2020) added that the arrival of the investigators is
slower, especially at main access roads. Lastly, the lack of equipment and the limited
training of responders are found to be the main reason affecting the efficiency of
Rationale
However, it is essential to understand that emergency response has been faced with
allow us to identify and understand the nature of the challenges. This poses significance
responses in the Philippines. To realize everything, this study will investigate the
Emergency Responders
Road crash scenes do not make for a picture to remember. In fact, they often
make for the worst of scenes when people, covered in blood, are lying on the tar road,
while others are still trapped in a vehicle screaming for help. These are the realities which
traffic law enforcement officers, police officials, paramedics and members of the fire
brigade who respond to road crash scenes have to deal with regularly (Geldenhuys, 2021).
Additionally, emergency services require specialized knowledge and clinical skills. Each
scene is different, and the injuries have different types and ranges; hence, scientific
insight and clinical skills are required to assist casualties. Some paramedics have no
scientific background and only work by passing some relevant courses. This is
problematic: in providing proper assistance to the injured, and the risk of injury to the
Police services receive reports of crashes through dispatchers in their call center.
The appropriate agencies or agencies are assigned to the crash on this basis, and first
responders receiving the notification must assess the location and distance to the scene as
well as the safest route to get there. Traffic patterns and congested areas must be assessed
on the way, and first responders must contend with drivers who may not see them, or who
choose to ignore lights and sirens and fail to pull over or stop at intersections (Robertson,
2020). Because vehicles with growing degrees of autonomous function are already used
on the roads or are promised to arrive soon, law enforcement (LE) needs to consider how
to prepare for issues such vehicles will cause or how to contend with actual autonomous
Aside from the police forces, the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Office (LDRRMO) also plays an important role in responding to road accidents through a
several approach which Kim et al. (2021) details the basic process. According to them,
when an emergency call is received, the LDRRMO control center gathers essential
information about the location, severity, number of vehicles involved, and any injuries.
This information is used to alert and dispatch the necessary emergency services,
including ambulances, fire brigades, and traffic enforcement, while coordinating with the
police, local government units (LGUs), and nearby hospitals for a comprehensive
response (Duma et al., 2022). Upon arrival, first responders secure the accident scene to
prevent further incidents and ensure safety (Jannussis et al., 2021). They provide
immediate medical assistance, which may involve first aid, stabilizing victims, and
victims are trapped, while firefighters, particularly the Bureau of Fire Protection in the
Philippines, manage any fire risks (Lagata et al., 2022). Traffic control measures are
implemented to manage congestion, and the public is informed about alternative routes
and incident status through various media (Prince et al., 2021). The LDRRMO also
coordinates with police and investigators to document the scene, gather evidence, and
understand the cause of the accident (Kim et al., 2021). Post-incident actions include
to promote road safety (Jones et al., 2019). Continuous improvement is ensured through
regular training and drills for responders and maintaining rescue and emergency
effective response to road accidents, minimizing casualties and enhancing overall road
Road Accidents
According to the World Health Organization (2023), road traffic crashes result in
the deaths of approximately 1.19 million people around the world each year and leave
between 20 and 50 million people with non-fatal injuries. More than half of all road
traffic deaths occur among vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists and
motorcyclists. On the latest WHO data published in 2020 Road Traffic Accidents, deaths
in the Philippines reached 13,017 or 1.93% of total deaths. The age adjusted Death Rate
is 13.42 per 100,000 of population ranks Philippines #109 in the world. Meanwhile, the
United States of America has the unfortunate distinction of officially reporting the most
The study of Torres and Asor (2021) states that in terms of day of occurrence,
is Saturdays. On the other hand, months of May and December have the highest
consummated in May. Public vehicles are more prone to accidents than private vehicles
in both stages of felony. An accident may occur between or at 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm.
Velasco et al. (2021) added that road traffic accidents that involve motorcycles tend to be
the least critical. It breaks the prevalent stigma that motorcycles are the most dangerous
road vehicle. Moreover, accidents that involve heavy vehicles such as trucks and buses
are the most critical traffic accidents. Moreover, Rodriguez et al. (2021) stated that the
main factors that influence road traffic accidents are the driver's age, gender, vehicle age,
road character, road lane character, traffic condition, type of vehicles, driving experience,
and time of accidents. Human factors' role is not only a significant accident contribution
factor. Other factors such as road environment, vehicles, and their interactions with the
human element should lead road users to make mistakes (Cruz et.al, 2021).
The study of Abrigo et al. (2021) shows that the age shows a significant impact on
the increase of road traffic accidents. The study suggests that young ages tend to have a
lack of skill, inexperience, and risk-taking behaviors. Meanwhile, Lu et al. (2021) data
gathered states that most of the patients involved in accidents were male. The mean age
of patients was 32.4 years. Most happened at nighttime between 6:00 PM and 5:59 AM.
Throughout the years, motorcycles were the vehicle type involved. Among patients with
helmet use information, they were not wearing helmets. Also, the history of alcohol
intake.
roads but do not involve motor vehicles, each necessitating unique responses (Prytherch,
2021). Elucidated below are some of the non-vehicular accidents with its precautionary
Pedestrian accidents require immediate action to move the victim out of harm's
way if safe, call emergency services, and provide first aid if trained (Ahmed et al., 2023).
In medical emergencies like heart attacks or strokes, it's crucial to call for help,
administer first aid or CPR, and keep the person calm and still (Wyckoff et al., 2022).
Fallen objects or debris on the road should be removed if safe to prevent accidents, or
local authorities should be alerted for larger hazards, with warning signs placed to alert
other road users (Lu et al., 2019). For construction site hazards, it is best to avoid the area,
report dangerous conditions to site managers or authorities, and adhere to posted signs or
worker instructions (Zhang et al., 2019). Roadway spills involving oil or hazardous
preventing others from entering the area until professionals handle the situation (Lantieri
et al., 2022).
ensuring personal safety amidst hazardous conditions such as heavy traffic, adverse
weather, or poorly lit areas, while also managing traffic flow to prevent further accidents
or delays (Du et al., 2023). Effective communication is essential but often hindered by
factors like noise from traffic, inadequate mobile network coverage in remote locations,
or language barriers with those involved (Khaled & Mcheick, 2019). Providing timely
medical assistance requires trained personnel and access to appropriate resources, further
coordination with authorities, including law enforcement, fire services, and medical
responders, is paramount for the efficient management of emergencies, relying on clear
(adapted from various sources on emergency response challenges) (Hamim et al., 2020).
Conceptual Framework
variables under study. This study seeks to identify and understand the challenges
on road. From the identified challenges, the respondents will elicit their recommendations
city?
With that focus, this study is also limited to the following parameters. First, the
emergency responders that this current study pertains to are those emergency responders
from Philippine National Police (PNP), Emergency Medical Service (EMS) and/or Local
Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (LDRRMO) and from the Bureau of Fire
limited conforming to the study’s research design - qualitative study. This study,
pertained in this study are those occurring on the road with or without the association of
vehicles. Thus, no post-research actions will be taken like interventions and further
studies. However, this does not limit the possibility for future researchers to continue
investigating the emergency responders in Dipolog city. Due to the differences of
ordinances and geographic features of cities in the Philippines, the data gathered from
this study is not applicable for other cities; however, using this as a basis to conduct
since this study will help them identify the common challenge as they perform their
emergency responses in the vicinity of Dipolog City. By identifying the challenges and
gathering the responders’ recommendations, the city can be notified on the things that
Bachelor of Science in Criminology as they will gain insights of the existing problem in
the field they soon be working. Identifying the challenges that emergency responders face
Future Researchers. The findings of the study could benefit the future
researchers as this will provide a basis or a preliminary data that could be used to deepen
Research Design
This study will utilize a qualitative research design to describe the challenges
understanding on the issue pertaining to their operations while also discussing their
Research Environment
The study will be conducted exclusively in Dipolog City particularly in the offices
of the organizations identified as the Philippine National Police, Local Disaster Risk
Dipolog City, the capital of Zamboanga del Norte Province, is located in the
northwestern part of the province. It faces Cebu and Negros provinces, situated at the tip
rolling hills with expansive lowlands along its western coast facing the Sulu Sea. The city
barangay districts. With a population of over 120,000 residents, Dipolog primarily speaks
Cebuano/Visayan, although English and Filipino (Tagalog) are also widely spoken. In the
highlands, the original Subanon dialect is used. The city has a population density of eight
persons per hectare and is classified as a second-class income city (Local Government
Research Participants
The participants of the study are the emergency responders that respond to road-
and BFP. Considering the design of the study, there will only be five (5) participants
The data collection will be done through a face-to-face interview. The researchers
expect to retrieve >90% of the responses from the respondents selected throughout the
organizations.
Research Instrument
which holds numerous questions targeted to eliciting about their job, the challenges in
on the previously published studies of Khaled and Mcheick (2019), Hamim et al. (2020),
Babaie et al. (2021), Geldenhuys (2021), and Du et al. (2023) with slight modifications to
suit the study’s context. Moreover, data will be collected through note-taking, voice
Research Procedures
Data Gathering. After securing the informed consents, researchers will notify the
respective offices of each organization for the schedule of interview. The interview will
Treatment of Data. Data collected will be translated and cleaned. Sorting of the
Data Analysis. The raw data will be analyzed through thematic analysis using
MAXQDA software. This software is used for studies with qualitative data which
published papers from reputable journals will be used to support the discussion and
declarative statements. This will give a clear grasp on the study’s outcome.
Conclusion. This will be drawn from the findings. Findings will be analyzed
Ethical Considerations
This study recognizes the significance of upholding ethics in the pursuit of this
research project. The study proper, participation, and declaration of interest on this
project is agreed and protected that applies for any agencies, bodies, and individuals
involved including the researchers themselves. Below are the certain areas this study is
concerned:
Voluntariness. All the respondents in this study are fully voluntary. Declaration
and consent prior to the acquisition of data must be agreed otherwise cannot partake the
study (see Appendix). Researchers understand the freedom of choice and their right to
refuse thus researchers should be deemed at fault for any reports and/or concerns of
force or compulsion to comply such whether done thru physically, verbally, or in any
form.
collected and mishandling of the data could render the researcher accountable.
Technically, this study does not put emphasis on the respondents’ demography thus no
collection of personal information will take place. However, in any cases of amendments
of the previously proposed data collection process, any information that identifies the
respondents should not be exploited for other purposes rather only and only will be for
the conduct of this study. The data collected will be assigned with codes to avoid the use
of personal information and keep it away from any form of biases. Collected data will be
deleted once the study reaches its completion marked by the printing and publishing of
the manuscript.
No Harm. Any form of harm is condoned in the conduct of this study. From its
manuscript, to the questionnaires, and to the discussion of the results -- all the statements
are free from gender biases, discrimination, stigma, and any form of condescending
statements. The researchers strive hard to keep this study humanitarian and civil and
respondents thus information collected should be kept confidential. This means that the
researchers declared and listed are only the individuals who have access to such
Trustworthiness of the study. This study should be treated with reliability and
should be valid in every aspect through the virtue of the adviser/s and panels, support of
the theories, literature, and studies, and honesty in the declared empirical observations.
dependable, and conformable - all for the dedication for upholding trust.
at a conclusion, must ensure that the study is valid. The problem and its methods must be
reliably backed with supporting studies and approval of adviser/s and panels. Research
instruments play a crucial role in upholding reliability thus a pilot testing should be
carried out beforehand. This is to avoid any technical errors in the data reception, storage,
treatment, and even in the questionnaire itself. If the reliability means a revision of any
Challenges - in this study, this term is defined as the problems faced by the emergency
(2024), challenges are those that make a task difficult or demanding, esp. one seen as a
officers of Philippine National Police (PNP), Local Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Office (LDRRMO), and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) that responds first
to road-related emergencies in Dipolog City. According to Jones et al. (2019) and Prince
et al. (2021), emergency responders, also referred to as first responders, are individuals
Emergency - in this study, this term is defined as the road incidents that may or may not
that happens suddenly or unexpectedly and needs fast action in order to avoid harmful
results.
Encounter - in this study, this term is defined as the experience of emergency responders
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