Abstract :

Emergency responders are at the forefront of any disaster response. The intense psychological demand and repeated exposure to trauma are inherent to this profession; hence, the need for a deep exploration and understanding of their lifeworld. This study examined the lived experiences of 14 Filipino Emergency Responders. Using Giorgi’s descriptive phenomenological method, data were gathered through in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Analysis revealed a general psychological structure of their experience, constituted by four primary themes: waiting, duty and the immediate call; handling tragedy and the aftershock; finding strength in the team and personal time; and dealing with poor support and asking for respect. The findings illuminate the profound realization of life’s fragility and the indispensable role of informal debriefing among colleagues as a primary coping mechanism. The implication of this study is the critical need for formalized and proactive mental health support systems to sustain the well-being of these vital professionals.

---

Keywords :

descriptive phenomenology, Filipino emergency responders, mental health, resiliency, well-being

---

References :

1. Ancho, C. A., Bosito, R. R., Buan, E., Guitba, J., Moyao, W. G., Genre, D., Ramos, D., & Sibug, R. (2024). Insights from the frontliners: Understanding the experiences of LDRRMO rescuers in disaster and emergency operations. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, VIII(IIIS). https://doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS
2. Arizala, M. C. R., Palomares, G. A., Corpuz, R. R. B., Gonzales, A. A., & Velasco, A. M. (2025). Encounters of typhoon rescuers: A phenomenological inquiry. Multidisciplinary Science Journal, 8(6). https://doi.org/10.31893/multiscience.2026415
3. Bekircan, E., Karagöz, A. Ş., Güleryüz, A., & Gündüz, A. (2025). Post-natural disaster existential anxiety, stress , and resilience : a cross-sectional study on emergency response teams. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 00(00), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2025.2569105
4. Bell, V., Murray, E., Muñoz, L., & Krahé, C. (2025). In harm’s way: moral injury and the erosion of trust for emergency responders in the United Kingdom. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/20008066.2025.2513107
5. Bevan, M. P., Priest, S. J., Plume, R. C., & Wilson, E. E. (2022). Emergency First Responders and Professional Wellbeing : A Qualitative Systematic Review.
6. Carleton, R. N., Afifi, T. O., Taillieu, T., Turner, S., Krakauer, R., Anderson, G. S., MacPhee, R. S., Ricciardelli, R., Cramm, H. A., Groll, D., & McCreary, D. R. (2018). Exposures to potentially traumatic events among public safety personnel in Canada. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, 51(1), 37–52. https://doi.org/10.1037/cbs0000115
7. De La Cruz, Y. F. T., Licoben, A. S. A., Dagdagan, D. A., Camora, K. R. V., Bacasen, K. F., & Supsupin, R. N. B. (2025). The cost of saving lives: A glimpse into the pressures and coping strategies among emergency healthcare professionals in La Trinidad, Benguet. Cognizance Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 5(7), 814–850. https://doi.org/10.47760/cognizance.2025.v05i07.060
8. De Soir, E., Knarren, M., Zech, E., Mylle, J., Kleber, R., & Van Der Hart, O. (2012). A phenomenological analysis of disaster-related experiences in fire and emergency medical services personnel. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 27(2), 115–122. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1049023X12000507
9. de Sousa Oliveira, S. A., Santos de Carvalho, C. M., Sousa Pinto, A. L., & Guedes Gondim, S. M. (2024). Emotional Labor, Occupational Identity, and Work Engagement among Portuguese First Responders. Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 40(3), 179–194. https://doi.org/10.5093/jwop2024a15
10. Doyle, J. N., Campbell, M. A., & Gryshchuk, L. (2021). Occupational Stress and Anger: Mediating Effects of Resiliency in First Responders. Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology, 36(3), 463–472. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11896-021-09429-y
11. Giorgi, A. (2012). The Descriptive Phenomenological Psychological Method. Journal of Phenomenological Psychology, 43(1), 3–12. https://doi.org/10.1163/156916212X632934
12. Giorgi, A. P., & Giorgi, B. M. (2008). Phenomenological Psychology. In The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research in Psychology (10). SAGE Publications, Ltd.
13. Haugen, P. T., McCrillis, A. M., Smid, G. E., & Nijdam, M. J. (2017). Mental health stigma and barriers to mental health care for first responders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 94, 218–229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2017.08.001
14. Jahnke, S. A., Poston, W. S. C., Haddock, C. K., & Murphy, B. (2016). Firefighting and mental health: Experiences of repeated exposure to trauma. Work, 53(4), 737–744. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-162255
15. Khankeh, H., Alizadeh, A., Nouri, M., Bidaki, R., & Azizi, M. (2022). Long-term Consequences of the Psychological Distress in Iranian Emergency Medical Personnel: A Qualitative Research. Health in Emergencies and Disasters Quarterly, 8(1), 7–14. https://doi.org/10.32598/hdq.8.1.318.2
16. Kotlaja, M., Ivković, S. K., Liu, V., Dausan, A. F., Maskály, J., & Neyroud, P. (2024). Assessing Police Stress in the Philippines during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Does Community Size Matter? Asian Journal of Criminology, 19(4), 551–572. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11417-024-09442-0
17. Kshtriya, S., Kobezak, H. M., Popok, P., Lawrence, J., & Lowe, S. R. (2020). Social support as a mediator of occupational stressors and mental health outcomes in first responders. Journal of Community Psychology, 48(7), 2252–2263. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.22403
18. Lam, H. Y., Gundran, C. P. D., Lopez, J. C. F., Santamaria, E. B., Tuazon, A. C. A., & Tayao, L. (2018). Enabling Factors, Hindrances, and Self-perceived Level of Preparedness of Typhoon Haiyan Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Responders. Acta Medica Philippina, 52(2). https://doi.org/10.47895/amp.v52i2.430
19. Langdridge, D. (2007). Phenomenological psychology: Theory, research and method. Pearson Education Limited.
20. Levido, A., Management, M. A., Keogh, S., Jarrett, P., Crowe, L., & Coyer, F. (2024). Australian Critical Care Proactive debriefing to promote wellbeing in intensive care nurses : A protocol. Australian Critical Care, 37(4), 621–627. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aucc.2024.01.004
21. Marasigan, M. (2023). Traumatic Events and Its Effect among Emergency Medical Service Provider. Asia Pacific Journal of Allied Health Sciences, 6(2), 74–79. https://doi.org/10.70979/yzyk4114
22. McQueston, R. L., & DePergola, P. A. (2019). Supporting Mental Wellness in the Public Service Professions. Online Journal of Health Ethics, 15(2). https://doi.org/10.18785/ojhe.1502.04
23. Mitchell, J. T. (2021). Continuum of care for disasters and catastrophes. In International Review of Psychiatry (Vol. 33, Number 8, pp. 728–739). Taylor and Francis Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2022.2030678
24. Oliveira, A., Correia-Santos, P., Neto, F., & Maia, Â. (2021). Peer Support Programme among Ambulance Personnel:Job Satisfaction, Health and Support. Psicologia, Saúde & Doença, 22(03), 881–893. https://doi.org/10.15309/21psd220309
25. O’Neil, J. W., & Kruger, L. (2022). Mindset as a resilience resource and perceived wellness of first responders in a South African context. Jamba: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.4102/JAMBA.V14I1.1312
26. Peoples, K. (2021). How to write a phenomenological dissertation: A step-by-step guide (Kindle). SAGE Publications, Inc.
27. Ponder, W. N., Prosek, E. A., & Sherrill, T. (2021). Validation of the Adapted Response to Stressful Experiences Scale (RSES-4) Among First Responders. The Professional Counselor, 11(3), 300–312. https://doi.org/10.15241/wnp.11.3.300
28. Roth, S. G., & Moore, C. D. (2009). Work-Family Fit. (Cdm). https://doi.org/10.1080/10903120903144791
29. Siwinski, L., & Blankenship, P. A. (2024). Dissociating First Responder Trauma: Examining Patterns of Self-Reported Trauma Exposures in Single-Role Firefighters and Paramedics. Psychology, 15(06), 984–998. https://doi.org/10.4236/psych.2024.156059
30. Willig, C. (2013). Introducing qualitative research in psychology (3rd ed.). McGraw-Hill.