Emergency Services Organization Research Articles

Geo Spatial Simplicity: Designing Map Interfaces for Bushfire Planning

We are part of a team working in collaboration with Landgate, the department of land information in Western Australia, on a project that is funded by an Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Grant. FireWatch is a web-based map application that was originally developed by Landgate to provide members of emergency services organisations and government departments with information on fire locations in Western Australia. While FireWatch was originally intended to be used by these technically inclined, subject-proficient users, we are tasked with creating a new version aimed at the wider community, with a particular focus on rural communities in northern Australia. Due to the fact that the interface will be used by a wide variety of users and potentially under stressful circumstances, we are attempting to traverse a delicate balance between functionality and ease of use. Some theory from human-computer interaction (HCI) has suggested that simplicity as a design goal is overrated. However, we believe that giving users a minimal, simple layout will maximise ease of use across several web-enabled devices and improve overall usability. As part of the design process, we are utilising user testing to ensure that we are providing optimal functionality

Communicating Bushfire Safety in Australia: The Challenge for Government of Increasing Community Participation

Bushfires are a major part of the Australian natural disaster landscape; causing severe property damage and loss of life. Since 2009 there have been four major bushfire events in Australia warranting government inquiry. The recommendations from such inquiries are intended to drive future policy and decision making, reflecting a commitment on behalf of authorities to learn from past events. For authorities, ensuring the successful communication of bushfire safety is the key to securing legitimacy, yet communication within the public sector is characterized by politics, legal constraints, media attention and public scrutiny. The perception of risk and the desire to promote an image of competence can inhibit innovation, particularly in relation to public sector internet communications. We should not assume that governments want greater community participation when there is both economic and political risk involved in doing so. Nevertheless, greater community participation in bushfire communications appears to be a key recommendation of the recent bushfire inquiries and which the public sector generally and fire and emergency services organizations specifically, are under some pressure to accommodate. Internet-based communications have a key role to play in filling the gap, but must balance community desire for participation with government requirements to be reliable and minimize risk. As part of preparations for a project which aims to provide greater community involvement in the Landgate FireWatchinternet map service, this article reviews the opportunities and threats inherent in government/community bushfire communication.

The Ambulance Industry Struggles To Go The Distance

EntryPoint Health AffairsVol. 32, No. 12: The Future Of Emergency Medicine: Challenges & Opportunities The Ambulance Industry Struggles To Go The DistanceMarc Eckstein Affiliations Marc Eckstein ( [email protected] ) is a professor of emergency medicine at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California and medical director of the Los Angeles Fire Department. PUBLISHED:December 2013No Accesshttps://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2013.1230AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextView PDFPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions View articleAbstractWhen a major private ambulance company filed for bankruptcy, it raised the alarm for emergency services organizations nationwide.TOPICSEmergency medical servicesMedicaid patientsHealth care providersEmergency departmentsUninsuredMedicaidMedicareAffordable Care ActHealth conditions Loading Comments... Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. DetailsExhibitsReferencesRelated Article MetricsCitations: Crossref 3 History Published online 1 December 2013 Information Project HOPE—The People-to-People Health Foundation, Inc. PDF downloadCited byProducing paramedicine: Case studies in the medical labor processSocial Science & Medicine, Vol. 309Prehospital Emergency Care, Vol. 26, No. 4Factors Associated with the Use of Helicopter Inter-facility Transport of Trauma Patients to Tertiary Trauma Centers within an Organized Rural Trauma System17 March 2016 | Prehospital Emergency Care, Vol. 20, No. 5

Antecedents and Outcomes of Volunteer Work–Family Conflict and Facilitation in Australia

Unpaid volunteers occupy many roles and provide crucial services in countries around the world. In Australia, for example, volunteers provide emergency response capabilities to most communities outside of major population centres. Despite the valuable function of this volunteer workforce, evidence indicates declining numbers of volunteer emergency service workers, and suggests that interactions between volunteering and family are implicated in falling numbers. The current study considered volunteering as one component of the community microsystem, and examined volunteering‐related Work–Family Conflict (WFC) and Work–Family Facilitation (WFF) in N = 682 Australian volunteer firefighters. Structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis indicated that brigade operational demands had a negative indirect effect on intention to remain through volunteer WFC, as well as a concurrent positive effect on satisfaction. Two volunteering resources were considered (training opportunities and effective leadership), and had positive impacts on volunteer WFF through perceived developmental gain. Although developmental gain had a large positive impact on volunteer satisfaction, volunteer WFF did not. Results indicate that theoretical models of interactions between paid work and family can inform understanding of interactions between voluntary work and family, and thus links between community and family roles. Implications for volunteer emergency services organisations are discussed.

Effects of networks on learning during emergency events

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the relationship between learning and the social networks employed within the context of emergency management. It hypothesises, using social network theory as a framework for analysis, that changes to interconnectedness between actors are implicated in the potential for those actors to learn and improvise in dynamically changing and emergent conditions.Design/methodology/approachTo test the hypotheses, survey data were investigated which were collected as part of a research study with the support of the Australian Bushfire Co‐operative Research Centre (CRC). This survey was completed by experienced personnel reflecting on a number of indicators in an emergency event.FindingsResults show that increases in actors’ involvement within the social emergency management network influences the ability of those actors to engage in learning‐related work activity. The paper infers that by developing learning related resources within the context of their social interactions these emergency personnel are better able to adapt and improvise in complex emergency events.Research limitations/implicationsAs an area of further research, it would be useful to apply the existing theoretical model to the context of another domain, preferably one that shares characteristics of uncertainty and unstable environments.Originality/valueMost existing studies of learning theory in human networks have focused on learning in situations requiring stable working relationships with no environmental uncertainties. In this paper, it is argued that the designs of existing models are useful as a building block, yet flawed for application within the context of disaster management. By presenting a model of learning‐related work activity, as an ongoing aspect of network connectedness, personnel within emergency services organisations can strengthen their capacity to be flexible and adaptable.

Public assessment of the usefulness of "draft" tsunami evacuation maps from Sydney, Australia – implications for the establishment of formal evacuation plans

Abstract. Australia is at risk from tsunamis and recent work has identified the need for models to assess the vulnerability of exposed coastal areas – a fundamental element of the risk management process. Outputs of vulnerability assessment can be used as a baseline for the generation of tsunami prevention and mitigation measures, including evacuation maps. Having noted that no evacuation maps exist for Manly, Sydney (an area recently subjected to high resolution building vulnerability assessment by Dall'Osso et al., 2009b), we use the results of the analysis by Dall'Osso et al. (2009b) to "draft" tsunami evacuation maps that could be used by the local emergency service organisations. We then interviewed 500 permanent residents of Manly in order to gain a rapid assessment on their views about the potential usefulness of the draft evacuation maps we generated. Results of the survey indicate that residents think the maps are useful and understandable, and include insights that should be considered by local government planners and emergency risk management specialists during the development of official evacuation maps (and plans) in the future.

Improving Home-Based Hospice Understanding and Use of the National Incident Management System for Emergency and Disaster Preparation and Response

Critical to an organized and successful emergency response is having a plan based on the framework used exclusively by community and national emergency service organizations, that is, the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Standardization is vital so that diverse types of organizations can work in harmony to respond to emergencies. NIMS provides the opportunity for this standardization. Home-based hospices are generally unaware of NIMS and its value during a multiagency response to an incident. Care should be taken to revise emergency and disaster preparation and response plans to reflect the national standard.

Intelligence-Led Mitigation

This paper explores methods for capitalizing on existing law enforcement intelligence capabilities to provide intelligence support to decision makers for a full spectrum of public safety and emergency service operations. Intelligence-led mitigation is a management philosophy and business process to proactively guide strategic, operational, and tactical decisions for mitigating the effects of intentional, accidental, and natural incidents. There is currently a gap in the intelligence products needed by public safety and emergency service organizations to support their resource decisions, and the quantity and quality of intelligence products they are receiving. This breach between producer and consumer exists across the country and at all levels of government. The intelligence-led mitigation model was designed to demonstrate how the existing principles and processes of intelligence-led policing can be applied to a broader set of incidents, incident phases, and stakeholders in order to effectively and efficiently fill this critical intelligence gap.

Izazovi u unapredjenju zbrinjavanja povredjenih u Republici Srbiji

There are many problems that trauma care system in Serbia is facing today. Few of them are: 1) Lack of categorization of trauma centers; 2) Diversity in managing of trauma patients among institutions; 3) There is no trauma management training, 4) Inappropriate cooperation between pre hospital trauma care and hospital trauma care; 5) There is no standard in managing of trauma patients as well as procedures. To improve trauma care quality throughout the country we must learn from the experiences of other countries. The aim of this paper was to report representative data about organization, management, stuff and equipment of ambulance and emergency services in Serbia. We analyzed 12 out of 138 parameters we obtained from the relevant institutions.

Trastorno psicótico inducido por alcohol: criminalidad y tratamiento ambulatorio involuntario

Alcohol consumption determines different degrees of behavior disturbances, it is worldwide recognized as a first-order criminal factor and carries medico-legal repercussions, aggravated if associated with psychotic symptoms. In the present case report, the implication of alcohol in the genesis of the criminal behavior, the juridical repercussion of the clinical condition associated with the consumption and the medicolegal complications of its clinical management are analyzed. We emphasize the need to improve the organization of emergency services, as well as to implement safety measures, both active and passive, in order to prevent suicidal behaviors, addressing the potential institutional responsibility. In patients with behavior disorders and social dangerousness associated with alcohol consumption, the forensic and juridical intervention is especially relevant, in order to prevent future criminal behavior, analyzing the advantages that would result from the implementation of security measures or an assertive community treatment.

Anforderungen an Traumanetzwerke in Niedersachsen

The German Association of Trauma Surgery has developed a concept for the quality-assured care of severely injured patients; this concept includes the establishment of trauma networks. In this study, hospitals and emergency services in Lower Saxony were asked about their demands on the Hannover regional trauma network. Trauma departments in Lower Saxony and adjoining federal states were asked to self-assess their level of trauma care. The demands of emergency services and trauma departments on the trauma network were also ascertained. Responses to the questionnaire were received from 70.2% of trauma departments and 11.5% of emergency services organizations. Of these, 46.9% of the trauma departments classified themselves as a "center of basic care", 50.0% as a "regional trauma center", and 3.1% as a "national trauma center". Compared with the regional trauma centers, centers of basic care requested fast transfers of patients to a trauma center significantly more often, whereas trauma centers desired more educational activities. The demands of trauma centers on a trauma network correspond with the aims formulated by the German Association of Trauma Surgery. These demands depend on the level of trauma care provided. Close cooperation with emergency services is essential to strengthen collaboration within the trauma network.

Recognising current competencies of volunteers in emergency service organisations

PurposeThe paper seeks to show the relationship between organisational structure and flexibility of training has not been well researched. Focusing on the role of recognition of current competencies, this study provides evidence of the effects of the former on the latter.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper evidence was obtained by comparing six emergency service organisations using comparative case study. Data were collected through individual and group interviews and from document searches. Organisations were categorised as organistic or mechanistic based on volunteer experiences and published organisational structures. The flexibility of curriculum, delivery of training, and recognition of current competence were assessed and compared with organisational structure.FindingsThe paper finds that mechanistic organisations had high levels of insular trust and relied on training as a means of socialising new volunteers into the norms and practices of the organisation. They required all recruits to undertake the same training and did not recognise competencies acquired outside the organisation. In contrast, those organisations with a more, organic structure, had more flexible training strategies and used holistic assessment to recognise current competencies that volunteers brought to their roles.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper could be replicated in other industries to examine the generalisabilty of the findings. The implications for the wider issues of flexibility and responsiveness of some emergency service organisations could be an area for further investigation.Practical implicationsThe paper shows that achieving greater flexibility in training in emergency service organisations may require organisational change in order to build trust within a work context that can involve extreme risks.Originality/valueThe paper concludes that, while it was the fire services that were the more mechanistic of the organisations included in the study, there was sufficient diversity in their structures to allow one to conclude that across these four cases the more organic the organisation, the more flexible was the approach to training. It is concluded therefore that an inflexible approach to training is not an essential feature of the fire service industry.

Can pigeons change the emergency system in Poland?

The recent, tragic disaster at the pigeon fancier's fair in Katowice, which claimed 65 victims and injured 200 others, has left Poland in a state of shock. At the same time everyone was amazed at the efficiency of the rescue efforts, which stood out in sharp contrast to the chaos characterizing the Polish health care system and its emergency services. The implications of this accident merit consideration for the organisation of emergency services in Poland. Witnesses confirmed that the first ambulance arrived at the site just 4 min after the accident occurred. Well-equipped rescuers—firemen, soldiers, physicians, paramedics, mining rescuers, mountain and NGOs volunteers—quickly streamed into the disaster area. The injured were swiftly transported to nearby hospitals, which had …

Transportation and Emergency Services: Identifying Critical Interfaces, Obstacles, and Opportunities

Transportation and emergency services agencies have many shared and overlapping responsibilities in myriad situations, ranging from routine traffic incidents to large-scale events that threaten public health and safety. The importance of effective coordination among these groups is heightened by the need to improve highway operations, ensure homeland security, and enhance all-hazards emergency management. Research was done to identify and evaluate the underlying obstacles and opportunities for improving coordination among highway transportation and emergency services organizations. Institutional, operational, technological, and financial factors were considered. Most findings and conclusions are based on a survey administered to transportation and emergency services professionals in five states. On the basis of the survey results and subsequent focus group discussions, recommendations are offered for short-term improvement of emergency transportation operations and for additional research.

Transportation and Emergency Services

Transportation and emergency services agencies have many shared and overlapping responsibilities in myriad situations, ranging from routine traffic incidents to large-scale events that threaten public health and safety. The importance of effective coordination among these groups is heightened by the need to improve highway operations, ensure homeland security, and enhance all-hazards emergency management. Research was done to identify and evaluate the underlying obstacles and opportunities for improving coordination among highway transportation and emergency services organizations. Institutional, operational, technological, and financial factors were considered. Most findings and conclusions are based on a survey administered to transportation and emergency services professionals in five states. On the basis of the survey results and subsequent focus group discussions, recommendations are offered for short-term improvement of emergency transportation operations and for additional research.

Postmortem Inquiries and Trauma Responses in Paramedics and Firefighters

Following a critical event resulting in loss of life, members of emergency service organizations are frequently required to participate in postmortem inquiries that seek to understand the cause of the tragedy and ensure that such an event does not occur again. Although researchers have become increasingly knowledgeable about the effects of critical events on rescue workers, to date, no studies have focused on the stress and trauma experienced as a result of having one's actions questioned in such a process. This study compares trauma responses in firefighters and paramedics who have been questioned in postmortem inquiries following a critical event in the work-place and those who have not. Involvement in a review was found to be associated with significantly higher traumatic stress and depression symptoms. Those involved in reviews were more likely to have taken mental health stress leave. In addition, both media coverage of the event and the review were significantly associated with depression scores.

Postmortem Inquiries and Trauma Responses in Paramedics and Firefighters

Following a critical event resulting in loss of life, members of emergency service organizations are frequently required to participate in postmortem inquiries that seek to understand the cause of the tragedy and ensure that such an event does not occur again. Although researchers have become increasingly knowledgeable about the effects of critical events on rescue workers, to date, no studies have focused on the stress and trauma experienced as a result of having one's actions questioned in such a process. This study compares trauma responses in firefighters and paramedics who have been questioned in postmortem inquiries following a critical event in the work-place and those who have not. Involvement in a review was found to be associated with significantly higher traumatic stress and depression symptoms. Those involved in reviews were more likely to have taken mental health stress leave. In addition, both media coverage of the event and the review were significantly associated with depression scores.

Balancing Mysterium and Onus: Doing Spiritual Work within an Emotion-Laden Organizational Context

This study uses the neo-Durkheimian conceptual framework of Mysterium and Onus to illustrate how spiritual work is used to accomplish emotional balance within emotion-laden organizational contexts. The constant emotional oscillations experienced by paramedics within an emergency services organization show how spiritual work is accomplished at the level of paramedic-patient interaction, emotional equilibrium within the self, and degrees of connectedness to the organization itself. We contend that in heavily emotion-laden organizational contexts where life-changing events are occurring, spiritual work is an important part of the emotional labor process. In turn, balancing emotions is a major part of `balancing' Mysterium (the sacred) and Onus (the profane). We conclude that emotion-laden organizations need to approach the practice of spirituality as an extremely sophisticated and complex phenomenon. While current trends towards `spiritualizing' the workplace through the legitimizing of corporate spiritualities may result in a more controlled and less enchanted workplace, spirituality may well remain as one of the few ways in which workers can practice resistance in a controlled work environment.

Organization and function of academic psychiatric emergency services

Psychiatric emergency services (PES) are evolving as freestanding, parallel components of emergency departments at many tertiary care medical centers in the U.S. While PES facilities provide an increasing percentage of first-line care for patients with psychiatric crises, the services they provide and their interactions with medical emergency services have not been systematically assessed. The purpose of this study was to examine PES structure, care processes, patient characteristics and relationship with medical emergency services by surveying PES directors with a 70-item questionnaire about PES facilities in 1998. This report presents information about staffing adequacy, medical evaluation and other procedures, length of stay, and aftercare. The response rate was 91% ( n=51), and most sites (>90%) were academic training sites. A large percentage (92%) of PES sites were open 24 h a day, 7 days a week, and 94% had an attending psychiatrist present at least 8 h daily. PES psychiatrists performed initial medical evaluation at 55% of sites and were often responsible for medical clearance. Pharmacologic therapy was routinely initiated for patients being admitted in 92% of facilities and for patients being released in 70% of facilities. Mean (SD) length of stay in the PES was 9.0 (11.3) hours. The PES facilities were effective at referring patients to aftercare, and 51% of PES sites provided follow-up care. However, 69% of respondents reported inadequate referral options for patients with substance abuse. The mean recidivism rate was 18%, primarily attributed to substance abuse and medication noncompliance. The results of this survey show that PES facilities are organizationally complex units in which staff routinely perform medical clearance, initiate treatment, and coordinate aftercare. Our findings highlight the importance of adequate medical training for PES psychiatrists, the need for improved aftercare programming, and better access to substance abuse treatment for discharged patients.

Death after injury in rural Norway: high rate of mortality and prehospital death.

Finnmark is a rural and remote area in Norway with a sparse population and long distances. Trauma-related mortality has been consistently above the Norwegian national average for the last 20 years. Although the causes of death are well established, very little is known about the time and place of death. This information has implications for the organization of emergency services in rural areas. We examined all trauma deaths over a five-year period in order to inform the debate on how best to reduce our above-average mortality rate. A retrospective study of all deaths after trauma (ICD-9 E800-E999) during the years 1991-95 using data obtained from the National Registry of Death. Of the 183 cases found, 130 deaths were due to trauma using definitions comparable to similar studies. The mortality rate was 77 per 100,000 inhabitants per year. Death occurred in the prehospital phase in 85% of cases. Seventy-two per cent of all deaths (regardless of location) occurred within the first h after injury, eight per cent from 1 to 4 h and the remaining 20% occurred after 4 h. When planning interventions to reduce the mortality rate from trauma in rural areas, a high proportion of prehospital deaths should be expected. The high number of patients who are found dead (which can only be reduced by injury prevention) must be taken into account. Measures to reduce 'preventable' causes of death by bystanders should be evaluated. Further knowledge of exact mechanisms of death in the prehospital phase is required.