“I Need to be Strong!”: The Lived Experiences of Davao Rescuers

Disasters occur during unanticipated events, in which immediate responses are needed under the process of rescue and relief operations. Rescuers play an important role during disasters and catastrophes, they ensure that public safety is prioritized. Rescuers deal with various rescue operations, and it was evident that they have faced challenging experiences going through emergencies and disaster responses. Although these duties are essential to the community, they are taxing on rescuers and increase their risk of trauma over time which may lead to poor performance at work, job dissatisfaction, and sleep deprivation. emergencies are unpredictable and cause destructive effects on our society, it has become an important research project in the field of crisis management for the development of scientific coping mechanisms and to improve rescuers' resilience. Psychological distress was experienced during disasters which affected the rescuers emotionally. Given that emergencies are unpredictable and cause destructive effects on our society, it has become an important research project in the field of crisis management for the development of scientific coping mechanisms and to improve rescuers' resilience.