NO FEAR–Better Integrating Healthcare Into Crisis Management Structures

Abstract

Introduction:Since the beginning of the COVID 19 pandemic, the EU-funded project, NO FEAR collected lessons observed from the response. One of the issues raised in the retrospective “lessons observed” exercise, was the need to better integrate health care into “crisis management structures” (e.g. Civil Protection).Method:Lessons observed from the COVID-19 response were collected and analyzed by the NO FEAR project, through a questionnaire, discussion with consortium partners, and a large conference in Madrid, with a high-level briefing for policymakers.Results:During the Madrid conference, different speakers pointed out the lack of training for healthcare professionals in crisis management (processes and procedures)–except those with military training or EMS officers who are part of Fire and Rescue Services. In a same manner, crisis managers have very little (if any) training in health. This was identified as a gap in future preparedness.Conclusion:Looking into the future, healthcare professionals who will be called to take part in crisis management systems have to be trained in this task, as well as basic awareness of crisis managers to health issues in emergencies.