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International Journal of Emergency Services
Journal Prestige (SJR): 0.201  Citation Impact (citeScore): 1 Number of Followers: 22  Hybrid journal * Containing 3  Open Access article(s) in this issue *ISSN (Print) 2047-0894 - ISSN (Online) 2047-0908 Published by Emerald  [362 journals]
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- Using the Fantastic Reality Ability Measurement to cope with epidemics: a
Turkish validity and reliability study-
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Authors: Yasemin Özyer Güvener, Samet Dinçer, Enver Caner
Abstract: This study was conducted to adapt the Fantastic Reality Ability Measurement (FRAME) into Turkish. In the sample of this methodological study, 213 participants were included. The factor loading of the tool was within the appropriate range (0.53–0.94). Its Cronbach's alpha was 0.975, and the item total score correlations ranged between 0.594 and 0.881. The evaluation of the Turkish version of the FRAME revealed that it could be used as a valid and reliable measurement tool in Turkish population.
Citation: International Journal of Emergency Services
PubDate: 2023-09-07
DOI: 10.1108/IJES-11-2022-0067
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- European emergency managers on social media: institutional
arrangements and guidelines
Open Access Article-
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Authors: Sten Torpan, Sten Hansson, Kati Orru, Mark Rhinard, Lucia Savadori, Pirjo Jukarainen, Tor-Olav Nævestad, Sunniva Frislid Meyer, Abriel Schieffelers, Gabriella Lovasz
Abstract: This paper offers an empirical overview of European emergency managers' institutional arrangements and guidelines for using social media in risk and crisis communication. The authors collected and analysed material including publicly accessible relevant legal acts, policy documents, official guidelines, and press reports in eight European countries – Germany, Italy, Belgium, Sweden, Hungary, Finland, Norway, and Estonia. Additionally, the authors carried out 95 interviews with emergency managers in the eight countries between September 2019 and February 2020. The authors found that emergency management institutions' social media usage is rarely centrally controlled and social media crisis communication was regulated with the same guidelines as crisis communication on traditional media. Considering this study's findings against the backdrop of existing research and practice, the authors find support for a “mixed arrangement” model by which centralised policies work in tandem with decentralised practices on an ad hoc basis. Comparative insights about institutional arrangements and procedural guidelines on social media crisis communication in the studied countries could inform the future policies concerning social media use in other emergency management systems. This study includes novel, cross-national comparative data on the institutional arrangements and guidelines for using social media in emergency management in the context of Europe.
Citation: International Journal of Emergency Services
PubDate: 2023-09-07
DOI: 10.1108/IJES-08-2022-0041
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Mental distress symptoms among Muscat firefighters: the impact
of sociodemographic factors, sleep disturbance and smoking-
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Authors: Javad Hashempour, Zubaida Shebani, Jeffrey Kimble
Abstract: Firefighting can pose a number of psychological health risks due to the nature of the job. Previous studies have examined the relationship between distress symptoms in firefighters and factors such as age, experience in the service, workload, sleep and alcohol use. However, the relationship between risk factors and mental health problems in firefighters remains unclear. In the present study, the authors aim to assess mental distress among Muscat firefighters using the Brief Symptom Inventory-18. The authors expected that this research will allow researchers to determine the prevalence of mental distress among Muscat firefighters and assess the role of the above risk factors on the ratio. The assessment includes the prevalence of anxiety, somatization and depression symptoms among firefighters. The impact of sociodemographic factors, sleep problems and smoking on symptomatic cases was also evaluated. Data was collected from 110 firefighters then processed as per instructions in the BSI-18 manual to identify clinical cases in each of the three scales of the assessment. Results show that all factors influence the number of cases to different extents. Young, single firefighters with high school level education were found to have the highest number of extreme cases followed by those who are non-smokers and satisfied with their job. This study did not find a relationship between sleep disorder and job dissatisfaction with regard to the number of critical cases. The prevalence of anxiety, somatic and depression cases among firefighters was found to be 11.8%, 10.9% and 10%, respectively. These findings have implications for fire service work-organization policies and for the development and monitoring of treatment programs for firefighters. This work presents a comprehensive assessment on common factors that may impact prevalence of mental distress among an underrepresented firefighter community. These findings have implications for fire service work-organization policies and for updating current monitoring programs or updating new programs for firefighters.
Citation: International Journal of Emergency Services
PubDate: 2023-08-22
DOI: 10.1108/IJES-12-2022-0075
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- The development of an evidence-based approach to inform learning and
practices within the UK fire and rescue service-
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Authors: Rowena Hill, Tabitha Oakes, Lee Wilkes
Abstract: The fire sector within the United Kingdom has identified a need to further develop their systematic use of academic literature and develop mechanisms to include academic knowledge to inform evidence-based policy and practice. By increasing knowledge exchange between the fire sector and academia, the ability to horizon scan and identify future relevant phenomena of interest to the fire sector will be achieved. Consequently, the evidence base and horizon scanning will increase the specificity of techniques, approaches and practices needed to continually improve the safety of the activities completed within the firefighting occupation, and it will also provide priority areas for investment and increase firefighter safety. This technical paper primarily features an initial scoping review of academic and grey literature and an operational incident data review. This was completed to provide an initial and updated review of disciplines and areas of academia that are actively engaged in research relevant to the fire and rescue service. Consequently, this method sought to identify and examine the various disciplines of academia involved in fire research. This paper then uses that outcome to suggest a model of multidisciplinarity to inform the fire sector. As a result of the scoping review, each academic discipline was identified and an initial review developed a predetermined set of key search terms. This was established through identifying the most frequently used fire-related terms within each discipline. This allowed for a comprehensive understanding of the breadth of activity and depth of complexity of fire related research within each discipline and an indicative set of key search terms to be developed. Recommendations are formulated to suggest next steps to routinely incorporate the academic knowledge base in the learning process of the fire and rescue services in the United Kingdom. This paper provides an initial scoping map of academic literature and disciplines relevant to activities completed in the UK fire sector, which can be used to further develop the evidence base to inform the fire and rescue service of the United Kingdom. It also outlines possible mechanisms and a model to systematically facilitate knowledge exchange between academia and the fire sector by which knowledge exchange could further support the development of evidence-based policy and practice. The broad range of benefits of collaboration between the fire and rescue service and academia are explored. This paper provides clear evidence as to why fire related research should have an increased priority status to inform the national fire and rescue services learning process and evidence for national policy and guidance development within the UK fire and rescue service. Additionally, recommendations are made to support the consideration of academic evidence in the systematic sector wide learning process. Previously, the UK fire and rescue service had limited coordinated strategic engagement with academic disciplines to further develop their learning processes in order to produce an evidence base, which is cognisant of academic research to inform practice and guidance. This paper begins the narrowing of that gap by categorising academic literature relevant to fire research into clear disciplines, mapping these to an updated breadth of current activities undertaken by the fire and rescue service across the United Kingdom. The process also details a pilot of the proposed model to support knowledge exchange by producing an academically evidence-based submission to the National Fire Chiefs Council organisational learning process.
Citation: International Journal of Emergency Services
PubDate: 2023-08-15
DOI: 10.1108/IJES-01-2022-0001
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Thinking styles of Australasian paramedics and paramedicine students
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Authors: Toby Keene, Kristen Pammer, Eryn Newman, Bill Lord
Abstract: Paramedics play important roles in healthcare, yet little is known about their decision-making. There is evidence that thinking style is associated with individual preference for intuitive or deliberative decision-making. Australian and New Zealand paramedics (n = 103; mean age: 38.7; mean 12 years’ experience; 44% female) and paramedic students (n = 101; mean age: 25.7; 59% female) completed a thinking style survey measuring active open-mindedness (AOT), close mindedness (CMT), preference for intuitive thinking (PIT) and preference for effortful thinking (PET). Participants also completed the 7-item Cognitive Reflection Test (CRT) to assess ability to override an attractive but incorrect intuition. With prior exposure to the CRT controlled, regression analysis found increasing AOT and decreasing age predicted cognitive reflection across all participants (R2/R2 adjusted: 0.198/0.157; F(10, 192) = 4.752, p
Citation: International Journal of Emergency Services
PubDate: 2023-07-05
DOI: 10.1108/IJES-08-2022-0042
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- What effects did home working have on 999 clinician practice from one UK
ambulance service during the Covid-19 pandemic'-
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Authors: Mike Brady, Edward Harry
Abstract: Virtual care is any interaction between a patient and clinician or clinicians, occurring remotely using information technologies. Like many international services, United Kingdom (UK) ambulance services use paramedics and nurses to undertake telephone assessments of patients calling the 999 emergency service line. Using their clinical knowledge, experience, and, at times, computer decision support software, these clinicians assess patients from a range of clinical acuities to confirm the need for an emergency response or identify and support those patients who can be cared for with remote treatment advice and referral. The Covid-19 pandemic saw UK ambulance services change and adapt their operating models to meet social distancing requirements, increase clinical staff numbers and mitigate staff becoming unavailable for work due to self-isolation. One such strategy was moving clinicians from Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs) to working at home. Staff utilised digital phone systems, remote computer-aided dispatch modules, remote clinical decision support software and video platforms, which allowed close to full functionality compared to inside typical EOCs. There is a dearth of literature exploring the comparative practice of clinicians from home rather than from EOCs. Therefore, this study reports the findings of a qualitative analysis of these effects from the clinician's perspective. The authors hope that the findings from this study will inform the operating, education and leadership practices of those delivering such services. A convenience sample of telephone nurses and paramedics from one UK ambulance service in which home working had been implemented were contacted. 15 clinicians with recent home working experience responded to the invite out of a possible 31 (48%). All participants had previously practised remote assessment from within an EOC. Semi-structured interviews took place via video conferencing software and were recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed. An inductive approach was taken to generating codes and both researchers separately reading the transcripts before re-reading them, assigning initial themes and determining frequency. Four main themes were identified with further associated sub-themes: (1) performance, (2) support, (3) distractions and interruptions and (4) confidence in decision-making. There are very few studies exploring the practice of remote clinicians in emergency EOCs. This study identified that home working clinicians felt their productivity had increased, making them more satisfied in their practice. However, there were mixed feelings over the level of support they perceived they now received, despite the mechanisms of support being largely the same. Supervisors found it especially challenging to provide support to practitioners; and employers might need to clarify the support mechanisms they provide to homeworkers. The elimination of distractions and interruptions was seen as a largely positive result of homeworking; however, these interruptions were not seen as inappropriate, thus, identifying a need for role clarity and task coordination rather than interruption elimination. Finally, clinicians felt that they become more confident when working from home, researching more, trusting themselves more and relying less on others to reach safe outcomes. However, there were missed opportunities to learn from listening to others' clinical practice.
Citation: International Journal of Emergency Services
PubDate: 2023-06-27
DOI: 10.1108/IJES-09-2022-0046
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- EMS workers on the frontline of the opioid epidemic: effects of sleep and
social support on depression-
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Authors: Paige Sable, Fengyan Tang, Jenifer A. Swab, Sheila Roth, Daniel Rosen
Abstract: This study focuses on Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel and examines the impact of overdose calls for opioids and attitudes of EMS workers towards individuals with substance use disorders on EMS workers' mental well-being while accounting for self-reported sleep and social support. This cross-sectional study surveyed EMS workers (N = 608) across Pennsylvania on demographic variables, frequency of overdose calls, attitudes towards opioid use and naloxone administration on measures of mental health. Multiple logistic regression models were estimated to examine the relationship of perception of opioid use and treatment and likelihood that EMS workers might experience depression.
Authors found two main findings: (1) There was a significant relationship between more negative perceptions about opioid use/naloxone and the likelihood that EMS workers might experience depression. (2) There was a significant relationship between number of overdose calls EMS workers responded to and likelihood of depression, which appeared to be alleviated by improvements in sleep and social support. There is potential opportunity for EMS employers to minimize the impact of the opioid epidemic on EMS worker mental health. Trainings to highlight effectiveness of treatment should be further explored, along with ways to enhance social support and improve sleep for EMS workers to protect against the stress associated with responding to this public health crisis. This study adds to the literature on the impact of the opioid epidemic as it relates to mental health outcomes for EMS professionals providing frontline care to those experiencing opioid use disorders.
Citation: International Journal of Emergency Services
PubDate: 2023-05-23
DOI: 10.1108/IJES-08-2022-0037
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Collaborating in a centralized governance mechanism: structure and
fragmentation of large-scale response coordination during the 2018
Typhoon Mangkhut in Shenzhen-
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Authors: Xiao Wang
Abstract: This paper aims to examine a large-scale typhoon response coordination, focusing on the emergency collaborative network (ECN) configuration and structural properties that characterized the 2018 Typhoon Mangkhut response operations in Shenzhen, China. The response coordination of Typhoon Mangkhut was operationalized as a Shenzhen-based ECN established upon a six-week observation. A systematic content analysis of publicly available government documents and newspaper articles was conducted to identify participating organizations and interorganizational relationships built and sustained during and immediately after the disaster. Social network metrics at levels of the node, subgroup of nodes and whole network were utilized to examine network capacity, network homophily and network performance, respectively. Results of the centrality analysis demonstrate that government agencies at municipal and district/county levels took central network positions while private and non-profit organizations were mostly positioned at the network periphery. The blocking analysis points to a salient homophily effect that participating organizations sharing similar attributes were more likely to connect with each other. A further investigation of whole network metrics and the small-world index reveals the highly fragmented and discontinued features of ECN, which may result in unsystematic coordination among organizational actors. This paper is distinctive in examining the coordination structure among response organizations embedded in a centralized and monocentric governance system and, more importantly, how the structural characteristics can differ from that evidenced in a more decentralized and polycentric system.
Citation: International Journal of Emergency Services
PubDate: 2023-04-28
DOI: 10.1108/IJES-11-2022-0068
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Disaster readiness assessment model using integrated statistical variance
and proximity value index-
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Authors: Agung Sutrisno, Cynthia Erlita Virgin Wuisang, Ade Yusupa
Abstract: The regular occurrence of natural disasters elevates the need for an effective method to measure organizational preparedness in responding to the adverse impact of disasters. In this context, this paper presents a new decision support model to assess organizational disaster preparedness using both subjective and objective disaster preparedness criteria in a multi-criteria decision-making context. The statistical variance method is integrated with the proximity value index (PVI) technique to determine priority scores in order to rank organizational disaster readiness. The results of applying the integrated model developed herein enable decision-makers to make informed decisions for assigning priority ranking of organizational disaster preparedness in a simpler and more efficient way. Human resource is the most impacting criterion affecting hospital preparedness in undertaking action to cure disaster victims. This paper offers an exemplar of a simple and efficient decision-making process considering the subjectivity associated with decision-making as well as the objectivity of data used for determining the priority ranking of organizational disaster preparedness. Integrating statistical variance method with the PVI technique is novel and it has not been presented in previous studies. In fact, this study is the first to integrate both methods for selecting the priority ranking of organizational disaster preparedness.
Citation: International Journal of Emergency Services
PubDate: 2023-04-12
DOI: 10.1108/IJES-09-2022-0050
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Preparedness for chemical, radiologic and nuclear incidents among a sample
Open Access Article-
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Authors: Lina Gyllencreutz, Carl-Pontus Carlsson, Sofia Karlsson, Pia Hedberg
Abstract: This study describes preparedness of emergency physicians and general practitioners following chemical, radiological and nuclear incidents. Five emergency physicians and six general practitioners were interviewed individually, and data was analysed using qualitative content analysis. The study results showed that physicians' preparedness for chemical, radiological and nuclear incidents is linked to one main category: to be an expert and to seek expertise and two categories: preparations before receiving CRN patients, and physical examination and treatment of CRN patients with subcategories. The results have implications for further research on the complexity of generalist vs specialist competence and knowledge when responding to chemical, radiological and nuclear incidents. This study provides insights regarding chemical, radiological and nuclear preparedness among physicians at emergency departments and primary healthcare centres.
Citation: International Journal of Emergency Services
PubDate: 2023-04-11
DOI: 10.1108/IJES-07-2022-0032
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Preparative collaboration for missing persons with dementia
in Sweden: a pilot study
Open Access Article-
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Authors: Rebecca Stenberg, Maria Wolmesjö
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to give an account for preparative collaboration between the police and municipal eldercare in Sweden concerning missing persons with dementia. Design/methodology/approach used was a qualitative case study design, consisting of one focus group with representatives for the participating organisations, followed by directed content analysis. The findings showed a lack of current collaboration and reluctance to new collaborative initiatives. However, when focussing on preparative collaboration of coordinated responses to missing incidents, possibilities for improvement could be identified. The improvements concerned updated personnel response checklists, along with suggestions for an elaborate life story document in eldercare, with police access. Finally, better coordination of the return of the found person and a follow up were proposed. It is suggested that collaboration must be given different meanings and use different approaches adapted to the different phases in a rescue operation. In the preparation and the response phase, the focus should be on coordination of the resources available. In the pre-planning and prevention phases, as well as in evaluation and learning, horizontal collaboration is more suitable. The amount of data in this study is a research limitation which calls for further research. It is suggested that collaboration must be given different meanings and use different approaches adapted to the different phases in a rescue operation. In the preparation and the response phase, the focus should be on coordination of the resources available. In the pre-planning and prevention phases, as well as in evaluation and learning, horizontal co-operation is more suitable. The originality/value of this paper can be found in the novelty of missing person research in Sweden, and in practical suggestions for preparative collaboration concerning persons with dementia who go missing. Finally, it can be found in the suggested need for a more dynamic and process-sensitive view of collaboration in SAR or rescue operations.
Citation: International Journal of Emergency Services
PubDate: 2023-03-29
DOI: 10.1108/IJES-09-2020-0054
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Building sustainable community resilience and business preparedness
through stakeholder perspective-
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Authors: Shuaib Ahmed Soomro
Abstract: The paper aims to examine business and community-based organizations’ efforts to increase engagement in building resilience to violent acts of terrorism in the community. Businesses and community-based organizations are now being called upon to join the wider preparedness, response and recovery efforts in response to terrorist violence. A qualitative approach is used to explore the study. Data collection includes observation, analysis and interviews with practitioners and local stakeholders to document lessons learnt from all perspectives. Further to understand the role of private sector business and NGOs in building resilience to violent acts of terrorism in the community, 21 businesses were selected in the two cities of Shikarpur and Sukkur in the province of Sindh in Pakistan, during a period of high stress from terrorist violence between November and December 2020. Community-based organizations in study areas contribute to resilience to violent acts of terrorism through making financial or material donations to local resilience to violent acts of terrorism programmes and by contributing supplies to affected people. Findings indicate that the implementation of a wide spectrum of community engagement initiatives has increased awareness of terrorist violence amongst various segments of societies. The study provides a combination of practical data along with review of literature. A practical approach to the data collection from organizations operating in terrorist-ridden areas and consequently developing and implementing strategies to resilience to violent acts of terrorism in the community.
Citation: International Journal of Emergency Services
PubDate: 2023-02-28
DOI: 10.1108/IJES-08-2022-0039
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- The evaluation of Safe and Well visits as part of the prevention
activities of fire and Rescue Services in England-
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Authors: Katarzyna Lakoma, Peter Murphy
Abstract: Safe and Well visits are the primary preventative vehicle now used by all Fire and Rescue Services in England. The purpose of this paper is to examine their recent development to identify notable practice and potential improvements. A literature review and archival document analysis have been supplemented by data and information from the evaluation of a case study at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service. There is considerable scope to improve Safe and Well visits, although individual services and the sector are not yet able to implement effective benchmarking across services or commission a more appropriate evaluation methodology such as a social return on investment. The research is situationally bound to England, although there may be transferable lessons to other services and jurisdictions. Potential future improvements are identified and recommended at local and national levels, both in the data and information available, and for policy, operationalisation and public assurance. Although a small number of professional reviews have been undertaken, the authors are not aware of any academic evaluation of Safe and Well visits since they superseded the previous Home Fire Safety Checks.
Citation: International Journal of Emergency Services
PubDate: 2023-02-28
DOI: 10.1108/IJES-09-2022-0053
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- From EAP to BHAP: a conceptual framework to develop and implement a
comprehensive behavioral health access program within the fire service-
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Authors: Kellie ODare, Chris Bator, Lance Butler, Jeffrey Orrange, Lauren Porter, Michelle Rehbein, John Dilks, Dana R. Dillard, Erin King, Joseph Herzog, Robert Rotunda
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to articulate the results of a comprehensive literature review and grassroots outreach with first responder organizations to present an operationalized framework for organizations to utilize as a blueprint in developing customized behavioral health access program (BHAP) programs. Historically, authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ)over fire service organizations have primarily offered behavioral health interventions through Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) or commercial insurance carriers. These programs are necessary but may prove insufficient to meet the scope and needs of trauma-exposed firefighters and the firefighters' families. A BHAP is a comprehensive and operationalized plan which clearly specifies the mental health services fire department members and families need, where those services are available within their communities and levels and standards of care that are expected in the provision of these services. The BHAP is becoming a world standard of behavioral health care for first responders. While some fire service agencies are beginning to create BHAP guides, developing and implementing a BHAP can be time consuming and overwhelming, particularly for departments with limited internal and external resources. While the results of this review focus on BHAP within the fire service, this framework is applicable across all first responder professions.
Citation: International Journal of Emergency Services
PubDate: 2023-02-07
DOI: 10.1108/IJES-11-2021-0078
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- A systematic review of the factors that contribute towards mental health
in the fire service-
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Authors: Lydia Garmon-Jones, Paul Hanna, Mary John
Abstract: Concerns have been raised regarding the mental health of firefighters. In response to this, existing literature reviews have highlighted the significant role of trauma in influencing mental health and the experience of post-traumatic stress within firefighters. This paper builds on the existing reviews and makes an original contribution to knowledge by systematically reviewing research exploring additional factors that contribute to poor mental health in firefighters. This review finds that factors such as sleep, occupational stress, length of service, coping style and social support all influence negative mental health within firefighters. However, this paper also suggests there are challenges to distinguishing the nature of these relationships, due to the possible bidirectional nature of the relationships and study limitations. Finally, we conclude by suggesting a clear need for further research to explore the biological, psychological and social factors influencing mental health outcomes in firefighters and the direction of these relationships, in order to inform effective intervention and support.
Citation: International Journal of Emergency Services
PubDate: 2023-01-17
DOI: 10.1108/IJES-02-2021-0005
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- The impact of COVID-19 on first responders in the United States of America
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Authors: Andrea M. Headley, Christa Remington, Kaila Witkowski, Santina L. Contreras, Nazife Emel Ganapati
Abstract: This project specifically aims to examine (1) the individual impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on first responders, (2) the organizational impact of COVID-19 on first response agencies and (3) policy and organizational response and support efforts to mitigate potentially harmful effects of the pandemic. The authors' conducted a mixed-methods analysis, including a review of secondary sources (e.g. government documents, organizational policies and news pieces), state-level policies, encompassing surveys, in-depth semi-structured interviews and PhotoVoice focus groups. COVID-19 compounded many of the inherent risks facing first responders and added new stressors. First responders assumed added responsibilities during the pandemic which increased workloads, job-related stress, burnout, distance from the community and first responders' feelings of frustration. Even with personal protective equipment (PPE), first responders faced greater exposure to individuals with COVID-19 and were primarily concerned with transmitting the virus to family members, or other members of the first responders' support networks. State-level COVID-19 policies that were geared toward first responders aimed to improve the first responders' personal lives outside of work and mitigate burnout within the profession. First response agencies adapted to the pandemic by implementing a wide range of measures. First responders also identified several weaknesses in the first responders' agencies' approach to the pandemic. To prepare for the next public health emergency, first response agencies should proactively train employees, build up the first responders' supplies of equipment and PPE, implement policies to strengthen their workforce (e.g. increase hiring for understaffed positions, reduce turnover and mitigate role abandonment), allow for greater employee autonomy, improve communication between leaders and employees and prioritize employees' mental health, as well as other factors relating to departments' informal culture. This is one of the largest studies conducted on three types of first responders (police officers, fire firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics) across the United States of America during a public health crisis.
Citation: International Journal of Emergency Services
PubDate: 2023-01-16
DOI: 10.1108/IJES-12-2022-0071
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Participation of pre-hospital emergency physicians at ambulance missions
in Germany's federal states-
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Authors: Thomas Hofmann, Luis Möckel
Abstract: This study aims to determine the differences in the involvement of pre-hospital emergency physicians (PHEPs) within the ambulance service over time and between the federal states and identify possible reasons for the differences. The federal state-specific PHEP rates from 2012 to 2017 were analysed using publicly available data or data provided by the responsible state ministries. In addition, various correlations between PHEP rates and sociodemographic and health data were calculated. The PHEP rates differ significantly between the 16 federal states. In 2017, Schleswig–Holstein had a PHEP participation rate of 19.00%, while in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania the rate was 41.08%. In all surveyed states, the rate fell over time. Only in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the rate increased from 37.68% in 2012 to 41.08% in 2017 (OR: 1.15 [95% CI: 1.14; 1.17]). Federal state-specific PHEP rates indicated strong deviations from the overall PHEP rate of all included federal states with ORs ranging from 0.61 (95% CI: 0,61; 0,62) for Schleswig–Holstein to 1.82 (95% CI: 1.81; 1.84) for Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Socioeconomic factors indicated (inverse) correlations with the federal state-specific PHEP rate. The PHEP rates differ significantly between the federal states. The correlations indicate possible connections but do not show clear causes within state-specific characteristics. Consequently, the occupational autonomy of paramedics differs between the states.
Citation: International Journal of Emergency Services
PubDate: 2023-01-03
DOI: 10.1108/IJES-09-2021-0057
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Editorial
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Authors: Paresh Wankhade
Abstract: Editorial
Citation: International Journal of Emergency Services
PubDate: 2023-07-18
DOI: 10.1108/IJES-08-2023-089
Issue No: Vol. 12, No. 2 (2023)
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