There will be times in our life where we will be faced with various dangers and challenges. Whether we’re driving on our way to work, operating equipment at the workplace, or resting at home, there will be times that emergencies could place our lives in danger. This can come in the form of vehicular accidents, health problems, and workplace injuries.
Since many hazards and dangers could cause emergencies, emergency response and recovery teams work around the clock to ensure that people are aware of potential hazards they might face. Many of these emergency response teams will have access to different forms of training and specialized information that can provide advanced knowledge associated with the events they will be working on.
These first responders need proper training and knowledge when keeping people safe. Still, it’s also essential to keep in mind that there will be different types of hazards present in various kinds of situations. This makes preparations one of the most critical parts of responding to an emergency since this can help minimize deaths, diseases, and injuries among those that need help and remove any threats towards the responders.
So what are some important factors that first responders will need to consider? Here are some things that responders should be aware of.
Pre-event Preparedness
First and more importantly, pre-event preparedness is one of the most effective ways of responding to most crises and situations. These activities will include training, access to already available and newly found information, assessments of the field, and equipment availability.
No matter what the situation might be, preparedness will always play a vital role since every second counts. When there is an emergency, everyone within the general vicinity of the emergency should be alerted and alarmed on what is currently happening to vacate the area for the first responders quickly.
This is where having noticeable emergency strobe lights can come in handy. Whether it’s a police car, a fire truck, or an ambulance, these lights are a great way of letting vehicles and pedestrians know that there are first responders in the area, which can help inform the emergency public.
Another critical aspect of pre-event preparedness is recognizing hazardous environments and having the necessary personal protective equipment to keep these individuals in good condition.
Post-event Phase
After the emergency incident and the main hazard has been addressed, a post-event phase is another crucial factor in the emergency response. Recovery workers and rescue teams will need to address any residue and remnants of hazards in a timely and secure manner. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, different types of hazards will require different types of personal protective equipment.
The ability to recognize these hazards and remove them methodically can help any more additional injuries. Given the importance of having the correct information for these emergencies, proper communication and dissemination should be the priority within these organizations.
Traumatic Incident Stress
Last but not least, one of the most crucial parts of emergency response that organizations will need to be mindful of is that many of these responders will develop traumatic incident stress over time. During these situations, these workers will need to be performing at peak capacity to ensure that everyone is kept safe. This can result in physical, mental, and emotional stress, which can lead to mental health issues and problems. Some of the symptoms can include nightmares, anxiety, emotional outburst, and even depression.
That said, there are many recommendations from government agencies that can help these workers cope with experiencing stress from these traumatic events. Some would consider doing a debriefing that’s related to these traumatic incidents. This can help mitigate mental and emotional problems in firefighters, first responders, and medical professionals. Many organizations around the country have their own materials and tools that help with coping. Ultimately, this will depend on the industry and the nature of the emergency that these workers are handling.
Every second will count during an emergency, and it’s paramount that first responders are prepared for any situation through proper training, having the right equipment, and the information to back it up. The process of responding to emergencies and crises might seem a bit daunting for many would-be first responders and emergency teams. Still, once most individuals are quite confident in their skills and abilities, they can handle these situations without any problem. Remember, when life is on the line, there should be no margin of errors. A mistake is a risk that shouldn’t be taken during any situation.
