Written by Leo Angelo Tacang
With contributions from Eioul Romm Jacob and Aissa Pater
BAGUIO CITY — Fourth Year students from the University of Baguio – School of Nursing (UBSON) have begun serving as responders at the Baguio City Emergency Medical Services (BCEMS) since the last semester of SY 2025–2026 up to the present, providing them with invaluable real-world exposure in emergency and pre-hospital care. This clinical assignment allows student nurses to apply their critical care knowledge, decision-making skills, and emergency response competencies in actual field settings where time-sensitive interventions are crucial.
As part of their Related Learning Experience (RLE), the students were also given the opportunity to visit the Baguio Smart City Command Center (SC3) located at the Baguio City Convention Center. The SC3, a PHP 200-million project funded through assistance from the Office of the President and powered by Cisco technology, serves as the city’s central hub for integrated emergency and public safety operations.
The facility enhances Baguio City’s capacity to prevent and respond to emergencies and disasters, accelerate government services, preserve the environment, and protect lives and property. It integrates a Command-and-Control Center, Unified Communication Platform (ICP), Video Management System (VMS) with analytics, Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD), Geographical Information System (GIS), and big data analytics—all working together to support faster, data-driven decision-making during critical incidents.
The RLE was facilitated by BCEMS personnel and supervised by UBSON clinical instructors. Students were oriented on the command center’s operations before observing real-time dispatch activities, inter-agency coordination, and communication systems in action. This exposure highlighted how technology strengthens emergency response systems and improves public safety outcomes.
Beyond observation, the experience underscored the vital role of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in the healthcare continuum. For student nurses, EMS exposure bridges the gap between hospital-based learning and community-based emergency care. It develops rapid assessment skills, prioritization, teamwork under pressure, and an understanding of pre-hospital decision-making—competencies that are essential in disaster situations, mass casualty incidents, and daily emergencies alike.
The presence of student nurses in BCEMS settings also reflects the growing recognition of nurses as critical members of emergency response teams. Their participation supports workforce readiness, promotes interprofessional collaboration, and prepares future nurses to function confidently in high-risk, unpredictable environments. Early immersion in EMS systems cultivates adaptability, leadership, and resilience—traits that are indispensable in modern healthcare.
Student nurses expressed appreciation for the experience, noting how it deepened their understanding of urban emergency management.
“We were able to see how dispatching works across different departments, which improves coordination, task delegation, and response time during emergencies,”
Gonzales shared, emphasizing how the facility demonstrates the city’s commitment to innovation and public service.
Another student described the command center as organized, disciplined, and highly coordinated, with real-time city monitoring displayed on large screens.
“The atmosphere felt professional and calm, showing how teamwork and preparedness ensure fast and effective responses,”
Ms. Julian Apilado said. She added that the centralized system enables agencies to respond more efficiently to emergencies, traffic concerns, and public safety issues.
The RLE provided students with firsthand exposure to advanced emergency management systems and inter-agency collaboration. The experience reinforced the importance of preparedness, teamwork, clinical competence, and technology integration in delivering safe, timely, and effective emergency care—preparing UBSON student nurses to become responsive and resilient healthcare professionals in both hospital and community settings.
