Assessing the Stress Level of the BFP Personnel in the National Capital Region During the COVID19 Pandemic

This study assessed the level of stress experienced by Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Search and Rescue Unit (SRU) personnel in the National Capital Region (NCR) while performing their functions during the COVID-19 pandemic and examined whether stress levels were significantly associated with selected profile variables. Anchored on the stress and coping framework, the study employed a descriptive-correlational design using a researcher-made questionnaire administered to 135 BFP-SRU personnel. The instrument collected respondent profile data (age, sex, civil status, length of service, and number of hours of deployment during COVID-19) and measured stress indicators across physiological stress, psychological stress, working conditions, and family relationships using a four-point scale. Results showed that respondents were generally Highly Stressed across all domains, with working conditions registering the highest overall stress level, followed by psychological stress and family relationships, and then physiological stress. Significant associations were identified between age and both physiological stress and family-relationship stress, sex and psychological stress, civil status and psychological stress, length of service and stress from working conditions, and number of deployment hours and psychological stress; rank classification showed no significant relationship with any stress domain. The study concludes that pandemic response produced a combined burden of operational, psychological, physiological, and family-related stress among SRU personnel and recommends institutional mental health and stress management programs, strengthened occupational health and wellness initiatives, improved workload and schedule management, sustained PPE and safety support, and enhanced family-support mechanisms. The study aligns with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by focusing on responder well-being and workplace conditions in essential public safety work. Its sustainability impact lies in supporting more resilient emergency response systems through evidence-based workforce protection, health safeguarding, and institutional readiness during prolonged crises.