Super El Niño is here.
It crept in this October and will reach its peak progression in December, after which the country will experience a long dry spell, extreme heat and rainfall deficiency.
From January to March, the crisis will worsen significantly, with roughly 79 provinces projected to experience full drought. Critical water shortages and severe agricultural damage follow.
Only in the second half of the year will the situation ease up with the onset of the monsoon season. Meanwhile the public is advised to prepare for water shortages, skyrocketing food prices, power outages, higher bills and severe health risks.
The technology is being used in emergency response operations in the United States and Europe, including during the recent riots in France.
To prepare for the El Niño crisis the Bureau of Fire Protection-NCR (BFP-NCR) conducted a two-day training at Somerset Hotel in Makati City on the operational use of cutting edge communication tools. The NEXiS Command and Unified Platform for Communications and Dispatch (UPCAD) with Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) devices have been integrated into the Unified 911 emergency response system.
Under the leadership of BFP-NCR Regional Director FCSupt. Roy Roderick P. Aguto, the regional division initiated the training to strengthen its emergency communications and command-and-control capabilities in preparation for potential El Niño-related emergencies and the upcoming ASEAN 2026 Leaders’ Summit.
BFP personnel from the Regional Operations Division (ROD) and Fire Communication Operations Section, including dispatchers and operational responders learned about the proper usage of the revolutionary communication tools that would make BFP and other emergency units respond quickly to fire and other emergencies during the El Niño crisis and beyond.
Thetraining highlighted PoC functions such as group communication, live broadcasting, transmission of photos and videos, and real-time geolocation monitoring that lets dispatchers track down the nearest responders within the location of an incident. The new tools also allow photos and videos to be sent through the device, helping command centers to monitor field units, share incident information and coordinate response more efficiently.
Chief of the Regional Operations Division FSUPT Elaine Baylon-Evangelista said the initiative is not simply about introducing new equipment but about strengthening operational discipline across the region.
“Radio communication should be a fundamental part of our firefighting operations, not just an option. Incident commanders need timely updates, dispatchers need accurate information, and responding personnel need to maintain communication with one another. We are strengthening our ability to coordinate resources, manage information, and maintain effective command and control during emergencies,” Baylon-Evangelista said.
According to Chief Fire Inspector Ely D. Timuat II, the PoCs will solve one of the primary problems encountered with the old radios that rely on radiowave frequency which limits their reach within certain districts and dead spots.
The NEXiS Command and Unified Platform for Communications and Dispatch (UPCAD) with Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) devices have been integrated into the Unified 911 emergency response system.
Far-flung areas in provinces or islands that have no radio frequencies, or when internet and radio signals are down, will benefit from the UPCAD’s (Nexis Command) advanced features. The units were already utilized and tested during the earthquakes in Mindanao.
Timuat said the Nexis Command would be valuable during El Niño because their GPS tracking ability can pinpoint the exact location of spreading grass or house fires so fire engines can be mobilized instantly to keep neighborhoods safe. Victims of heat stroke, severe dehydration or cardiovascular distress can also be quickly attended to because emergency calls made through Unified 911 bypass the need to search for specific hospital lines. Because the emergency communication system is connected to all LGUs, city or municipal rescue services can quickly respond to water or heat emergencies and quickly distribute local relief.
NGA 911, the public safety technology provider associated with the devices, also discussed technical features intended to improve communication and information sharing among emergency responders.
Robert Llaguno, NGA 911 Country Head, said “The handheld devices operate across 4G and 5G cellular networks, helping operatives stay connected even in areas with varying signal strengths. They have intelligent noise suppression features that enhance audio clarity, which is crucial during storms, fires, and other noisy environments. The system enables secure transmission of images and data so command centers get real-time visual context during emergencies. Additionally, its tiered communications feature allows life-threatening emergencies to take priority over lower-priority concerns.”
The Unified Platform for Communications & Dispatch, through the Nexis Command is part of NGA 911’s NEXiS Suite that supports a more integrated approach to emergency communications. Public safety agencies get stronger connectivity, situational awareness, and coordination from dispatch to on-the-ground response. “Those features are important during large-scale emergencies such as those anticipated during Super El Niño,” Llaguno said.
The technology is being used in emergency response operations in the United States and Europe, including during the recent riots in France.
