The Lived Experiences of Mothers Working as Firefighters in Baguio City

Abstract

A stunning and amazing shift is occurring in the usually male-dominated realm of firefighting. Mothers are entering fire stations as they navigate a tough profession while also managing the extremely demanding duty of parenthood. These women exemplify the essence of courage, perseverance, and compassion. This study looks into the experiences of mothers who work as firefighters in Baguio City. Highlighting the delicate balance they must strike between their demanding job and their roles as mothers. The study’s main objective is to explore their challenges as mother firefighters and to identify their strategies and coping mechanisms as a mother working as a firefighter. This study has used a qualitative research method through an interpretative phenomenological research design. The key informants of this research were six (6) mother firefighters aged 25-35 at Baguio City Fire Station. The data-gathering tool used was an interview guide constructed by the researchers. The gathered data were processed using thematic analysis, producing a theme that corresponds to the experience of the mother firefighter. The research uncovered that mother firefighters encounter distinct challenges in harmonizing their roles as both parents and public servants. The findings highlight challenges for mother firefighters: managing responsibilities, nurturing relationships, handling stress, and time management. Balancing roles and relationships, dealing with mental stress, and prioritizing tasks emerged as significant challenges...