Foreign Literature

Why Talk About Home Fires?

Children are especially at risk of experiencing the devastation caused by a fire in their
own homes (SAMHSA, 2018). It is the fifth most significant accidental cause of injury
and death in the United States, after motor vehicle accidents, falls, poisoning by solids
or liquids, and drowning. In other words, it is the country's fifth leading cause of injury
and death. Additionally, it is the leading cause of mortality for children under 15 who
passed away in their own homes. It is estimated that around 80% of all fire-related
fatalities occur in places where people sleep, such as houses, dorms, barracks, or
hotels. Most deadly fires occur at times of day and night when individuals are likely to
be less vigilant, such as while people are sleeping (“Deformities Following Electric-fire
Burns,” 1973). Even if they are intentionally started, most fires in homes and other
buildings may be avoided. Most intentionally set fires are started by minors, who
frequently show improvement after receiving therapy. A variety of methods can
dissuade the remaining arsonists. There will not necessarily be a fire. In the United
States in 1995, there were 3,640 documented house fire deaths, leading to almost ten
deaths each day (National Fire Data Center, 1995-2004). In addition, the flames in
people's homes left hundreds of injured, many of whom were hospitalized for severe
burns and others permanently deformed. Children and older adults make up a
disproportionate number of the victims. Children playing with fire cause two out of every
five fires that result in the death of young children. According to Stanford Medicine
Children’s Health, n.d., every year, fires claim the lives of around 900 people aged 65
and older.

Organizational Readiness in Case of Emergencies

The Emergency Preparation Safety Climate Scale was established by Gershon et al.
(2012) to evaluate the level of organizational emergency preparedness among
evacuees from the WTC. OSHA mandated that a scale with eight items be used to
evaluate critical aspects of how well building management and employers are prepared
for emergencies. Items evaluated included the assignment of a person to be in charge
of fire drills, the designation of a person to be responsible for ensuring that everyone
evacuated, the provision of written fire safety and evacuation data, post-evacuation
classification meeting places, and strategies for conducting a headcount, and the
assignment of a person to be in charge of ensuring that everybody evacuated.
Management and coworkers were also required to participate in the fire drills.
Cronbach's alpha was determined to be 0.66 based on an internal consistency analysis
of the replies.

The evacuees from the World Trade Center reported poor scores on this measure. For
instance, fewer than one-fourth of those who participated in the survey stated that their
company had supplied them with information about fire safety or a documented
evacuation plan. One-third of those who participated in the survey did not know or were
unsure whether someone on their level was responsible for ensuring that everyone on
their floor evacuated safely. The vast majority of people (84%) stated that they were
never informed of any preparations for gathering following the evacuation. Only a tiny
percentage of respondents (15%) stated that their place of employment had the plan to
carry out a head count (Gershon et al., 2012).

The Impression of Danger

The perceived seriousness of a situation and the amount of risk or danger that an
individual feels due to an occurrence are both examples of risk perception (Kuligowski &
Mileti, 2009). It has been demonstrated that it plays a significant role in the decision-
making process of people who live or work in commercial high-rise buildings when an
emergency arises (Day et al., 2013; Gershon et al., 2012; Kuligowski, 2015; McConnell
et al., 2010). In a building emergency, those considered to have assessed a high
degree of risk are less likely to engage in pre-evacuation duties and are more likely to
commence evacuation rapidly.

People who have a lower perception of risk, on the other hand, tend to have longer pre-
evacuation times because they continue working after receiving initial cues or because
they engage in more information-seeking or preparatory tasks prior to evacuating (Day
et al., 2013; Gershon et al., 2012; Sherman et al., 2011). These findings were published
in three separate studies: Day et al., 2013; Gershon et al.,

Pre-evacuation Activities

During the pre-evacuation period, occupants frequently engage in a wide range of

activities that have the effect of delaying the beginning of the evacuation process (Day
et al., 2013; Gershon et al., 2012; Gershon, Qureshi, Rubin, & Raveis, 2007; McConnell
et al., 2010b; Proulx & Reid, 2006). These activities include the following: There is a
clear correlation between the number of activities completed before an evacuation and
overall evacuation times. Those who lived in the WTC and reported having quick
response times completed less work before leaving the building. On the other hand,
those who reported prolonged response times were found to have carried out a more
significant number of pre-evacuation procedures (Day et al., 2013).

People were responsible for various responsibilities, some of which involved the
transmission and reception of information.

The occupants inquired with their coworkers, bosses, emergency personnel, and the
media to obtain information.

They either waited for 21 directives before fleeing, spoke with others, or offered vocal
instructions to do so (Day et al., 2013; Gershon et al., 2012). People were also busy
with activities that were connected to the preparation for the evacuation. These tasks
included gathering personal items, looking for other people, changing shoes in
preparation for walking down the stairwell, or completing work-related activities (such as
making phone calls or shutting down computers) (Day et al., 2013; Gershon et al.,
2012). Both of these studies were conducted by Day et al. and Gershon et al. During a
fire in a high-rise office building, Proulx and Reid (2006) described similar actions.

Only 22% of those who heard an announcement over the public address system to
evacuate one of the floors started doing so. The other 78% engaged in activities very
similar to those mentioned above.

Commencement of The Movement to Evacuate

The amount of "reaction time" that tenants have is one of the most critical elements that
play a role in the outcome of an evacuation in a high-rise emergency. According to Day,
Hulse, and Galea (2013), "reaction time" refers to the amount of time that passes
between a person hearing the signal to evacuate and starting to make their way to an
escape point or a safe location on purpose. Studies on the egress of individuals from
buildings have revealed that people do not instantly respond to vocal warnings or
physical signs. It is believed that the number of different factors determines how long it
takes to begin the evacuation process.

Foreign Study

Preparedness for fire disasters and assessments of the status in Tanzania's

educational institutions of higher learning

One of the essential aspects of reducing the risk of disasters is increasing community
preparation, which includes raising awareness, being ready to provide appropriate
responses, and ensuring a speedy recovery (Ejeta et al., 2015). Despite the significance
of the issue, more needs to be done worldwide to enhance disaster preparedness levels
(Paton, 2003). There is scant information available about the degrees of readiness for
many kinds of natural catastrophes, particularly for developing nations like Tanzania.
Preparedness for natural disasters may be improved by bolstering the capacity of the
community, educating people, and improving preventative processes (Mathbor, 2007).
The disaster management process may be guided by knowledge of the different
degrees of readiness, which can lead to well-informed plans and decisions.

On the other hand, a lack of disaster preparedness, such as that which has been
reported in certain types of disasters such as floods and landslides (Miceli et al., 2008),
hurricanes (Howe, 2011), earthquakes (Srinivas & Nakagawa, 2008), and fires (Kukali &
Kabuka, 2009), can result in adverse economic and social consequences (Wilson et al.,
2007). As a result, being prepared becomes an essential component in the process of
attaining sustainable catastrophe management. In the context of this discussion,
"disaster preparation" refers to the actions done to mitigate the consequences of
disasters and better prepare for their occurrence. This entails making accurate
predictions, taking preventative measures where feasible, reducing the impact of
adverse effects, providing suitable responses, and developing efficient coping
mechanisms to deal with any adverse effects. Awareness among the general population
and the presence of supportive facilities and their current state are critical factors in the
success of efforts to reduce and prevent the problem.

Fire safety planning in a traditional Japanese mountain village: a study of local

resident participation

Numerous East Asian mountain villages with a long history have vanished due to
changes in lifestyle, industrialization, and urbanization associated with modernization.
Given that the remaining ancient mountain villages have survived several disasters and
are rich in cultural and historical significance, our efforts must conserve them and focus
on disaster avoidance in addition to preserving their traditional architecture and
landscapes. Due to the constraints of the terrain in many medieval mountain villages,
the community consists primarily of close-knit wooden structures that are both ancient
and dilapidated. Nevertheless, several buildings have undergone similar alterations to
accommodate modern lifestyles without adequate regard for fire safety (Q. Dong et al.
2014). Therefore, the likelihood of fire breakouts and large-scale fires is significant in
these villages.
Moreover, because the ancient mountain villages do not have sufficient inhabitants to
create and operate autonomous fire departments, the availability of firefighting
equipment in these mountain villages varies considerably based on the financial
circumstances of local governments (K. Peng et al. 2016, N. Akinciturk et al. 2004).
Therefore, it is impossible to anticipate a prompt response from a fire department in the
event of a fire. In medieval mountain settlements, the roads are typically small due to
the traditional way of movement and the geographical features. Due to the small streets,
fire trucks have difficulty entering these communities. Even if there may be a fire
department in a historic mountain village neighborhood, it may be challenging to deploy
fire engines as a firefighting resource.

Historic Dali Dong Village, Guizhou, China, building renovation responds to

several hazards

The Dong ethnic minority, the twelfth most populous ethnic group in China, resides
mainly in the hilly region of Southwest China. Twenty Dong villages containing
communities where the cultural traditions of the Dong ethnic minority are well conserved
have been added to the Tentative List of sites being examined for nomination to the
World Heritage List in recognition of their exceptional universal importance (F. Du et al.,
2016). As staying near water is the most significant Dong village settlement custom,
their homes are dispersed on mountain slopes along rivers (F. Du et al., 2016). Due to
the hilly terrain and dense wooden constructions, these Dong villages are vulnerable to
many dangers, including fire, landslide, and flood. Reviewing the big unintentional fires
around the nation based on Liao (Y. He et al., 2013) 25 of the 33 significant accidental
fires that occurred in ancient villages in China during the past two decades were in
Dong villages, including one on the tentative list for World Heritage status. In contrast to
other heritage kinds, a historic town is also a living environment; residential structures
comprise the core of its legacy. Consequently, the building enhancement response to
the multi-hazard risk may be understood as a fundamental approach to heritage
preservation.

This study has two objectives: to investigate the local government and the people's
building improvement responses to multi-hazard risk and to identify the obstacles
impeding building improvement activities in Dali Dong Village, one of the twenty Dong
villages on China's tentative World Heritage list. This study intends to contribute to the
development of precisely targeted approaches to assist locals in enhancing the disaster
resistance of ancient communities.

Characteristics and Mechanisms of Internal Fire Spread across Full-Scale

Wooden Houses

Due to China’s long history and ethnic diversity, ancient wooden buildings with regional
characteristics are widespread throughout the country (Chen L. et al., 2020, Bedon C. et
al., 2018, Khidmat R.P. et al., 2022). These buildings have not only residential value but
also are integrated into the local folklore, culture, history, economy, and natural scenery
and have both historical and touristic value (Chorlton B. et al., 2019, Lange, D. et al.,
2019, Allaire, F. et al., 2021). When uninterrupted fires occurred in ancient villages, the
spread caused significant damage to clustered wooden houses (Huang X. et al., 2011).
Deteriorated wooden buildings might have a greater possibility of catching fire when
they come into contact with an open flame (Johnson M.C. et al., 2020, Jones N. et al.,
2021, Kristoffersen M. et al., 2021). However, the current fire protection force in rural
areas is still relatively weak, mainly due to a lack of public firefighting facilities, a lack of
firefighting management, low awareness among villagers, and difficulties in external
firefighting rescue (Martín-Garín, A., 2021). Unlike wildfire spread in grass and forests,
wooden houses are prone to igniting from the building’s interior (Himoto K. et al., 2021).
The internal fire process consists of ignition, flashover, full development, collapse, and
extinguishment. This happens quickly, causes significant damage, and harms people’s
safety and lives (Cicione A. et al., 2021 & 2019). Traditional small-scale experiments
cannot objectively and accurately reproduce the fire spread characteristics of wooden
building clusters (Lange D. et al., 2015, Friedlander, S.K. 1997). Therefore, adopting a
full-scale experimental approach for fire spread research on wooden houses is vital.

Research on Fire Safety Preparation in the Workplace in Kenya's Medical

Training Colleges

Human acts, either directly or indirectly, are the root cause of most natural disasters,
including fire outbreaks. All measures used to avoid, detect, and put out a fire fall under
the umbrella term "fire safety." These measures are taken to preserve human life and
material possessions. One of the four stages of fire emergency management,
readiness, aims to reduce the likelihood of a fire disaster. Effective coordination and
enhanced capacities to respond to fire catastrophes result from a never-ending cycle of
planning, organizing, training, equipping, exercising, reviewing, and refining techniques
(FEMA, 2007). Preparing for the possibility of a fire is crucial to ensuring the health and
safety of everyone in the workplace and the surrounding environment. Fires are just one
type of physical danger that has plagued many businesses, and the majority start
because of poor methods of fire prevention, detection, and control. A fire is one of the
most catastrophic threats to a building since it may cause much damage and casualties.

Consequently, KMTC and other institutions should implement a comprehensive fire

safety preparation system to increase fire safety. To have an effective fire safety
program, you must carefully plan it out, put it into action, and keep it up and running.
People working in or visiting the institutions must follow fire safety preparedness
regulations to reduce their risk of injury or death in the event of a fire (Florida Atlantic
University, 2002). Fire safety readiness encompasses many factors, such as the
presence and proper use of fire safety procedures, infrastructure, and equipment, as
well as the awareness and support of occupants and employees for applying fire safety
preparedness rules. For instance, smoke alarms have been widely used in the United
States for over a decade and have prevented thousands of deaths. Smoke alarms, laws
requiring fire detection and management devices in all homes, and strict enforcement of
current fire safety rules are all necessary if the United States is to reduce deaths caused
by house fires to zero (Istre and Mallonee, 2000). Improving fire safety requires strict
adherence to laws and rules for fire prevention and preparedness. Extinguishing all
flames before sunset was a mandatory early English fire prevention precaution. In
England, a curfew bell began to sound at sunset in 1872 as a reminder to put out all
nighttime fires (Bugbee, 1978). Requirements for fire safety readiness to reduce and
manage fire hazards are outlined in Kenya's OSHA Legal Notice No. 15 of 2007 of the
Laws of Kenya (OSHA, 2007). Schools and universities are valuable resources for
every country (Adinku, 1999). When schools catch fire, lives are lost, and buildings and
property, including students' notes, can cause significant emotional distress for those
impacted. Occupants are responsible for ensuring that public facilities are safe from fire
threats. Institutions may be safer from fires if adequate infrastructure, equipment, and
fire rules are in place. The management and the workforce must take preventative
measures to guarantee the readiness of fire safety plans. Increased fire safety
readiness aids in attaining fire disaster management objectives and helps avoid and
lessen the impact of fires. Three components must come together for a fire to break out.
A chemical reaction requires oxygen, a combustible material (sometimes called fuel),
and a heat source (also called an ignition source).

Local Literature

Agenda of Regulations

The government of the Philippines has created rules and ordinances to protect its
citizens from the frequent natural catastrophes that strike the country. In 1941, former
president Manuel L. Quezon issued Executive Order (EO) No. 335, which established
the National Emergency Commission and, later, the Provincial Emergency Committee,
which oversees the Emergency Committees in each municipality and city. In 1954, the
National Civil Defense Administration (NCDA) and regional and municipal civil defense
committees were established under Republic Act 1190. The National Disaster
Coordinating Council (NDCC) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) were founded in
the 1970s during the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos, per Presidential Decree No.
1566. Local government units (LGUs) with areas declared in a state of catastrophe have
access to five percent of expected revenue from traditional sources following RA 7160
or the Local Government Code (LGC) of 1991. To better use the money, RA 8185
revised section 324d of the LGC by classifying it into relief, rehabilitation, rebuilding, and
other services. Most DRRM legislation and regulations have been seen to correspond
with climate change accords, further establishing the link between the two. The
Philippines joined UNCED's Agenda 21 in 1992. Poverty eradication, social fairness,
empowerment, good governance, peace and unity, and ecological integrity were the five
tenets upon which its foundation rested (EMB, nd). Also, in 1999, the Republic Act (RA)
8749 was enacted. Greenhouse gas emission restrictions are mandated for strict
enforcement under the Philippine Clean Air Act (GHGs). In 2004, Executive Order 320,
S.2004 followed suit, demanding that all government-funded projects discourage or
eliminate greenhouse gas emissions. The Climate Change Act, approved in 2009, and
the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (PDRRM) Act, passed in 2010,
have the same overarching goal of reducing people's exposure to risk and the severity
of disaster's effects. The historic passage of RA 10121 expanded the council's
membership from 19 to 44, allowing for representation from the business sector, civic
society, and financial institutions (CSOs). The Secretary of Defense continues to serve
as the council's chair. Still, he or she has delegated responsibility for each of the four
vice-chair positions to one of the four phases of disaster risk reduction and
management (DRRM): disaster prevention and mitigation to the Secretary of the
Department of Science and Technology (DOST); preparedness to the Secretary of the
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG); response to the Secretary of
the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); and recovery to the
Director General of the National Economic Each area and barrio have their own version
of the national council. A brief history of DRRM in the Philippines would start in the
1970s with disaster preparedness and response, then go through the 1980s with
disaster management, the 1990s with risk management, and the present with risk
reduction in 2005 and beyond (COA, nd).

LGUs' Functions

Four stages of emergency management are implemented when a catastrophe occurs:

prevention, protection, reaction, and cleanup. When handling crises, preparedness
refers to how well you've planned, trained, and practiced. The term "mitigation"
describes an ongoing effort to reduce or contain potential harm to individuals or physical
property. In the third and final stage, known as "reaction," efforts are made to provide
for people's fundamental needs, such as food and shelter. In the last stage, efforts are
made to restore economic activity and normalcy. In the event of a tragedy, these four
stages do not always happen in sequence and often overlap (Col 2007). Since local
governments not only have direct control over their constituents but are also expected
to recognize the community's needs, they play a vital role before, during, and after
disasters.

As required by the Local Government Code of 1991, the LGU in the Philippines is at the
forefront of disaster risk reduction and management. The LGU should be able to take
the initiative and make choices that are best for its citizens, with the backing of higher
authorities. Decentralization of duties (i.e., eliminating the top-down approach),
stakeholder engagement throughout DRRM, and openness in sharing relevant data are
all stressed in the relevant literature (Col, 2007). Solway (2004) defined the fundamental
functions of local government in times of crisis. The LGU needs to be able to do the
following: (1) evaluate the risks faced by the community and its residents; (2) educate
residents about natural disasters and their potential effects; (3) launch an information
and education campaign (IEC) on disaster mitigation; (4) collaborate with planning,
building, health, and welfare officials; (5) host first-aid pieces of training; (6) form
partnerships with educational institutions to increase awareness and bolster existing
knowledge; and (7) create an online disaster preparedness resource.

Local institutions are crucial in shaping community responses to catastrophes and

climate threats. They facilitate the evaluation of impacts, the cultivation of household
response and adaptation ability, and the mediation of various external interventions. A
study of 118 cases in 46 countries found that local responses to climate change fall into
five categories: mobility in response to risks and scarcities; storage of surpluses
including sturdy infrastructure for keeping seeds and harvested crops; diversification of
employment, assets, and consumption strategies; communal pooling of resources
across families; and market exchange. The vast majority originated in indigenous-
dominated rural areas that have been hit by several calamities and have learned to
adapt to nature's hazards (Agrawal et al. 2008). It is crucial to analyze distinct social
groupings to effectively suggest adaption techniques. Possible causes of their
heightened susceptibility may inform the actions used to help them. Every LGU should
be able to construct a Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (LDRRMP)
linked with NDRRMP with themes on disaster preparedness, response, prevention,
mitigation, and rehabilitation and recovery, as outlined by the National DRRM Council's
(NDRRMC) framework. NDRRMCs and LDRRMCs need to work together, and RA
10121 established clear lines of authority. If the disaster affects two or more regions, the
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council will take the lead; if two or
more provinces are affected, the Regional DRRMC will take over; if two or more cities
and/or municipalities are affected, the Provincial DRRMC will take over; if two or more
barangays are affected, the city/municipality will take over; and if only one barangay is
affected, the Barangay Development Council will take over.

LDRRMCs are authorized to order the forced or preventative evacuation of local

populations. They are responsible for incorporating disaster risk reduction and climate
change adaptation into development initiatives to combat poverty and enable
sustainable development. To fulfill the requirements of Memorandum Circular No. 03, s.
2012, LDRRMCs must include the private sector and civil society group representatives.
The four chosen CSOs will each have a representation from (1) a non-university
academic or research institution, (2) a religious or spiritual organization, (3) a non-
governmental or people's organization, and (4) a philanthropic or community
organization located within the LGU's territory. Local chambers of business should be
tasked with selecting the private sector's representation whenever possible.

Competent DRRM experience, solid institutional foundations, and SEC or CDA/DoLE

licensing at the national level are all necessities for any competing organization. Annual
deliverables and member organization input will be used to measure and monitor
member organization performance. The term is two years, and they can serve a
maximum of two consecutive terms. After a year, they are eligible to seek a new term.
When an organization fails to meet its obligations to the council, distributes
misinformation, or sponsors actions inconsistent with the NDRRMC's mission, the
council may remove its membership. But three years after RA 10121 was passed in the
wake of super typhoon Yolanda, the LGU had been pushed to the sidelines. However,
in the case of Typhoon Yolanda, the Executive Secretary presided over NDRRMC
sessions instead of the Defense Secretary or the President. From that point on, the
lines of command were hazy, and it was unclear who was really in charge. So many
people played roles that, when questioned, the acting authorities provided contradictory
accounts. Tacloban City, where former DILG Secretary Mar Roxas assumed power and
reportedly "emasculated" Mayor Alfred Romualdez, is a prime example of this.

The Defense Chief, who is meant to be in charge of the military, has been demoted to a
support role. The extent of the calamity meant that money issues were not overlooked.
It was a source of widespread dismay among mayors across the country that a year had
passed with no sign of a dime from the federal government. In addition, the CRRP
(complete rehabilitation and recovery plan) wasn't authorized until the following year.
Humanitarian and non-governmental organizations provided the bulk of the aid. Delays
have been traced back to various government entities' bureaucratic procedures. At least
14 municipalities in Leyte that fall into the fourth and fifth income levels have had house
development efforts stymied due to a lack of engineers or other competent technical
people (Rufo 2013). Constraints of LGU disaster response in the Yolanda case included
insufficient planning and implementation, overlapping responsibilities amongst
institutions, unclear means of communication and dissemination, weak inter-
organizational coordination, and a lack of familiarity with established disaster plans
(Kusumasari et al. 2010). The national budget established by the Department of Budget
and Management (DBM) is the primary source of financing for DRRM. There is a
partition prepared for the Calamity Cash (CF), a dedicated pool of funds for relief aid,
rehabilitation, repair, and reconstruction efforts. The General Appropriations Act
contains supplemental provisions that allow for the disbursement of this money. Legally,
the government must not touch the money until it has spent all of the money it has
received in contributions and grants. If the President of the Philippines approves the
disbursement, the money will be sent straight to the groups doing the work. After which,
the NDRRMC will deliver a report on the usage of monies and grants obtained by the
agencies to the DBM, House Committee on Appropriations, and Senate Committee on
Finance. The Calamity Fund has grown over the years by 275 percent, showing that the
government is increasingly allocating resources toward responding to natural and man-
made disasters.

Climate change legislation and disaster risk reduction: future prospects and next
steps

Since approximately 200 countries had previously signed the Paris Agreement when
President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines refused to ratify it, all eyes were on the
Philippines in late 2016 and early 2017. The 20- years-in-the-making pact requested the
signatories to cut greenhouse gas emissions, limit warming to two degrees Celsius,
keep temperatures at 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, and invest in the environment
and ecosystems (Goldenberg et al. 2015). (Goldenberg et al. 2015). Duterte's refusal
came from the fact that the Philippines is forced to cut down on emissions when it is still
on its way to industrialization. At the same time, other nations, especially the rich ones,
have already reached their peak, implying that the deal favors the more prosperous
countries and hinders the further development of the poorer ones (King 2016). (King
2016). However, 10 months after, Duterte yielded, pledging Metro Manila to cut its
emissions by 70 percent by 2030 (de la Cruz 2017). (Dela Cruz 2017). The Senate
ratified the Paris Climate Agreement on March 14 with a unanimous vote in favor of
Senate Resolution No. 261, which was enacted as Senate Resolution 320. After
ratification, the country can apply for a share of the Green Climate Fund's yearly pool of
USD 100 million, which is contributed by the world's largest carbon emitters
(Quismundo 2017). The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan
(NDRRMP) has set an objective of fostering "safer, adaptable, and disaster resilient
Filipino communities towards sustainable development" as a guide for the country's
DRRM and climate change policies (NDRRMP 2011). There are still obstacles to
overcome at the federal, state, and local levels of government, even though national
policies are trending correctly. Despite RA 10121's provision for vertical coordination
across regional, national, and local levels, we have yet to achieve smooth coordination
and good communication inside and outside federal and local councils (COA, nd).

The Role of Government in Disaster Preparation

According to Republic Act (RA) 10121, the DILG is responsible for serving as the vice
chair of the disaster preparation thematic pillar. The goal was to use the department's
status and power over local governments across the country. Since the DILG is now a
local government regulator, it is charged with establishing basic principles of disaster
preparation. The DILG has consistently seen throughout the years that a lack of
knowledge makes it impossible to develop a foundation of competence for disaster
preparedness at the barangay level. Community leaders have a hard time grasping
ideas like climate change and disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM), let
alone regular citizens. Typically, comprehension ends at the point of the response. Most
LGUs need to familiarize themselves with the notion of catastrophe planning. As a
result, the department has switched its attention to the family level, capitalizing on
programs like DSWD's Family Development Sessions to include disaster preparation
principles and concepts and to create harmonization among local institutions. Operation
L! sto was launched in 2015 due to this issue. It's a guide to becoming ready for
emergencies and includes a checklist for taking preventative measures. LCEs,
barangays, and households all have their own variants. They were labeled as
preventive, preparatory, and essential steps. Even if preparations for the impact don't
begin until just hours beforehand, the checklist specifies the need to have institutional
plans in place, often known as long-term readiness. Short-term planning may only
succeed if institutional mechanisms are established.

Governance at the local level and emergency preparedness

Integrating disaster preparation into local government requires extensive planning and
structural changes. The concepts of readiness and the broader thematic principles of
catastrophe risk reduction and management must be woven into all critical planning
documents. These should include revising the local disaster risk reduction management
plan (LDRRMP), the local climate change action plan (LCCAP), and the climate and
disaster risk assessment (CDRA) document. Since the CDP became the CDP Plus and
the CLUP became the Enhanced CLUP, the CDRA has been designated as the
principal vehicle for mainstreaming CC and DRR efforts into the primary planning
documents. Disaster preparedness's short-term, medium-term, and long-term aspects
must be considered when planning, making decisions and aligning local investments.
The CLUP, the CDP, and the ELA are three of the most crucial planning papers used by
LGUs. Minimum terms for CLUPs and CDPs are each nine years, whereas the ELA and
the terms of office of local authorities are each three years. Collectively, these strategies
provide the road map for localized administration and progress. Thus, it is essential that
their content is consistent with other disaster-related papers and that they share a
common theme. However, it has been noted that most LGUs have a misalignment in
the local plans, with neither objectives nor visions being stated or reflected in the ELA
and the latter needing to be consistent with the former.

Local Studies
DEGREE TO WHICH THE BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION'S APARRI FIRE
STATION'S FIRE PREVENTION PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN ACTUALLY
IMPLEMENTED

Education and fire safety training are crucial to any society's security. Daily tasks in the
office involve several potential sources of harm. Inspectors may ensure local
businesses are protecting their employees and the public by following best practices for
safety. A town or city's children, parents, and residents can benefit greatly from fire
prevention initiatives. Knowledge about fire hazards, safety measures, and potential
dangers can be gained via these experiences. The Bureau of Fire Protection has a
consistent set of fire prevention programs in the Philippines. However, their execution
differs depending on where you are. This investigation aimed to analyze the Aparri Fire
Station's 2016 Fire Prevention Programs and determine how well they were
implemented. The study primarily sought to describe the situation's nature as it existed
at the time of the survey. Hence it used the descriptive approach to acquire information
on the current state of affairs. Researchers conducting descriptive studies seek to shed
light on pressing topics or problems by amassing information that provides a more
detailed description of the situation than was previously feasible. Aparri is a first-class
municipality in the Philippine province of Cagayan, where this research took place.
Fifteen (15) members of the Aparri Fire Station's Bureau of Fire Protection were
surveyed for this study. Interviews and questionnaires were utilized to assemble the
data required for this investigation. The data from the respondents were analyzed using
frequency, percentage, and Pearson r. Findings from this study indicate that BFP
Aparri's fire prevention procedures were generally well executed but with some minor
hiccups in applying some safety standards. Therefore, it is strongly advised that the
agency's fire safety rules be strictly monitored and supervised.

Availability of Emergency Services from the Ilocos Sur Bureau of Fire Protection

The research assessed the preparedness of the Ilocos Sur Bureau of Fire Protection
(BFP) for emergencies in 2016. It also investigated the robust correlation between
respondent profile and competence level. Descriptive correlational research design was
used for this study. Sixty-nine BFP workers in several cities in Ilocos Sur were surveyed
for the study. These cities were Sto. Domingo, Bantay, Vigan, Caoayan, Santa, and
Narvacan. In order to get the final tally of responders, we conducted a complete count.
The major method for collecting information was a questionnaire checklist developed by
the researchers based on the BFP Operational Procedures Manual. Residents of a
variety of cities were surveyed. The necessary data was statistically handled and
interpreted using frequency and percentage, mean, and basic linear correlation
analysis. According to the data, the majority of respondents are male, between the ages
of 31 and 35, married, hold a bachelor's degree, and have a monthly family income of
between Php 30,000 and Php 35,000. They also have permanent resident status and
have participated in national training. Vigan BFP has the most supplies, equipment, and
vehicles for use in fire operation procedures compared to the other five BFP Stations.
The Vigan Basic Fire Protection Post is equipped with four fire vehicles, 31 fire hose, 17
fire boots, 29 fire helmets, 26 gloves, five life vests, an obstetrical kit, a spine board, and
a pulse oximeter, among other things. BFP has "Very High" capability in terms of its
ability to respond to emergencies. The amount to which respondents are capable of
responding to emergencies is significantly correlated with family monthly income.

PREVENTION AND RECOVERY FROM NATURAL CATASTROPHES IN NATIONAL

HIGH SCHOOLS: RESULTS FROM AN EVALUATION GROUP

The Kidapawan City division of the research, titled "Disaster Preparedness of National
High School: An Assessment," consists of 95 instructors and 57 local authorities. The
study's goal is to evaluate the schools' disaster readiness by looking at factors such as
school profile, disaster awareness, the depth of program execution, and satisfaction
with the program's overall effectiveness. This study employs the evaluative research
design utilizing a survey questionnaire to identify the interventions supplied once the
findings have been established. The study's findings suggest that school safety
measures are inadequate. The lack of a fire hydrant, fire hose, smoke alarms, and an
emergency vehicle is a common problem in most educational facilities. The earthquake
drill is the leading executed disaster program, while the fire drill is the least done
disaster preparedness program by the school and by the local government. When
schools lack adequate safety features, students and staff are put at risk in the event of a
natural or man-made calamity. Preparedness execution concerns tasks stakeholders
create to prevent, deal with, and quickly recover from unexpected disasters and
dangers. The frequent and equal use of these disaster preparedness methods is
warranted by the fact that both calamities pose a threat to human life and property.

A Look at the Influences on the National Capital Area's Firefighting Services from
the Bureau of Fire Protection

The primary purpose of this study was to examine BFP's frontline service quality in the
National Capital Area (BFP-NCR). Based on the responses of one hundred and five
BFP employees from the Manila Fire District office and the BFP-NCR main office to a
survey and interview, the BFP-NCR has found that the following contribute to the high
level of service provided by its frontline personnel: Difficulty in notifying the applicant of
(a) the release date of the fire safety certificate and (b) the need to renew the fire safety
certificates due to a lengthy procedure in processing fire safety certificates, a delay in
the issue of fire safety certificates, and lengthy record keeping. The study's findings
were designed to provide guidance for enhancing the quality of BFP NCR's frontline
services. The study also suggested implementing an automated system to replace the
current method of applying for fire safety certificates. This would help BFP
administrators better manage risks by capitalizing on customer feedback to enhance
their services and increasing their operations' transparency to boost efficiency and
quality.
Community-based disaster preparedness in the Philippine island of Panay

Damages are mitigated in the future thanks to disaster preparedness plans, but it can
be challenging to test them to see if they actually work. The study authors evaluated the
resilience of 92 featured municipalities in the central Philippines, home to over 2.4
million people, by using the state-created Local Government Unit Disaster
Preparedness Journal: Checklist of Minimum Actions for Mayors. Based on the Hyogo
Action Agenda 2005-2015, evaluated their level of readiness across four dimensions:
institutional frameworks, operational procedures, personnel skills, and material
resources. Social science statistical software tabulated and averaged the data using
weighted mean and frequency count. Tropical cyclones and floods significantly threaten
local governments, whereas earthquakes, droughts, and landslides pose a lesser threat.
They were all at least somewhat ready, but the coastal, middle-income, most populous,
having the fewest villages, and middle-sized ones were the most so. While those at the
most significant risk from earthquakes and forest fires were well-prepared, they were
less so for other natural disasters such floods, storm surges, droughts, tropical
cyclones, tornadoes, tsunamis, and landslides. Significant challenges in implementing
countermeasures were a need for more resources (both human and otherwise), a lack
of coordination across departments, and a poorly managed database. Appointing full-
time disaster managers, creating a disaster information management system, launching
a massive information drive, organizing volunteers in rural areas, embedding disaster
management into formal education, and requiring officials to undergo training could all
contribute to overall readiness for potential emergencies such as major volcanic
eruption or the COVID-19 pandemic.