The Bureau of Fire Protection-NCR (BFP-NCR) conducted a two-day training in Makati City on the operational use of a new emergency communication platform and Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) devices as preparations for El Niño and the ASEAN 2026 Leaders’ Summit continue. The BFP-NCR emergency communications platform includes the NEXiS Command and Unified Platform for Communications and Dispatch (UPCAD), which has been integrated into the Unified 911 emergency response system.
BFP-NCR said the initiative is intended to strengthen emergency communications and command-and-control capabilities in preparation for potential El Niño-related emergencies and the upcoming ASEAN 2026 Leaders’ Summit. The training was held at Somerset Hotel under the regional division’s initiative.
The release said Super El Niño began in October 2026 and will reach peak progression in December 2026. It added that the country will then experience a long dry spell, extreme heat and rainfall deficiency. The release adds: “From January to March, the crisis will worsen significantly, with roughly 79 provinces projected to experience full drought.”
The same source warned of critical water shortages, severe agricultural damage, skyrocketing food prices, power outages, higher bills and severe health risks. It said conditions would ease only in the second half of the year with the onset of the monsoon season.
BFP-NCR emergency communications platform features for emergency response
The geolocation function lets dispatchers track down the nearest responders within an incident location. The transmission features allow command centers to receive visual information from field units, share incident information and coordinate responses, according to the release. The tools are intended to help BFP and other emergency units respond to fires and other emergencies during the El Niño crisis and beyond.
“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.
Timuat said Nexis Command’s GPS tracking could pinpoint the location of spreading grass or house fires so fire engines can be mobilized. He also said Unified 911 could help victims of heat stroke, severe dehydration or cardiovascular distress by bypassing the need to search for specific hospital lines. Because the emergency communication system is connected to all LGUs, city or municipal rescue services can respond to water or heat emergencies and distribute local relief.
NGA 911 technology details
NGA 911, the public safety technology provider associated with the devices, also discussed 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 and include intelligent noise suppression. He added that the system supports secure image and data transmission and uses tiered communications so life-threatening emergencies can take priority over lower-priority concerns.
NGA 911 said UPCAD, through Nexis Command, is part of its NEXiS Suite. The technology is being used in emergency response operations in the United States and Europe, including during recent riots in France. The BFP-NCR emergency communications platform, through UPCAD and Nexis Command, supports a more integrated approach from dispatch to on-the-ground response, including during emergencies anticipated during Super El Niño.
