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The purpose of this presentation is to report the results from a series of standardized exercises administered to experienced, disaster-emergency-responders on their “operational readiness.” Based on original research with Olympic athletes, these results include: a frontline-perspective of challenges in a disaster; a quantitative definition of “readiness;” and the creation of related performance indicators. A growing body of literature has drawn attention to the significance of mental-readiness skills in attaining peak performance in challenging situations. For example, we know that top-level athletes have particularly well-honed mental-readiness skills and that this fact has often separated those who win a gold medal from those who do not. In recent years, this research has been extended to other occupations, including the field of surgery, policing, and now disaster-emergency-response, and similar results were found. For example, in the study entitled “Gold Medal Policing: Mental Readiness and Performance Excellence” (McDonald, 2006), peak-performing police officers demonstrated excellent technical and physical skills but excelled in mental readiness skills. Traditionally, the focus of most core-competencies has been on the technical and physical skills necessary to perform the duties. Given what we now know about the significance of mental-readiness skills, we can specifically develop and formally recognize these skills. That is, in addition to seeking the technical and physical skills required of a job, particular emphasis is places on refining the mental skills that ultimately makes the difference between satisfactory performance and peak performance. The goal of any field-training, is to produce a competent, independent, functioning frontline-responder. Such a responder will demonstrate concrete, observable “performance indicators.” Current research on peak performers has been integrated into developing comprehensive performance indicators. This outcome can benefit the recruitment, selection, training and evaluation of professions seeking to enter into the unique world of disaster emergency medicine.
