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First Responders after Disasters: A Review of Stress Reactions, At-Risk, Vulnerability, and Resilience Factors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

David A. Alexander  and
Susan Klein
David A. Alexander*
Affiliation:
Director, Aberdeen Centre for Trauma Research, The Robert Gordon University, and the Royal Cornhill Hospital, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
Susan Klein
Affiliation:
Reader in Trauma Research, Aberdeen Centre for Trauma Research, Faculty of Health and Social Care, The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
*
Aberdeen Centre for Trauma ResearchFaculty of Health and Social CareThe Robert Gordon UniversityGarthdee RoadAberdeen AB10 7QGScotland, UK E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Disasters are widely reported, commonplace events that characteristically leave an enormous legacy of human suffering through death, injury, extensive infrastructural damage, and disorganization to systems and communities.The economic costs may be almost incalculable. Professional and civilian first responders play a vital role in mitigating these effects. However, to maximize their potential with the minimum health and welfare costs to first responders, is important to have a good understanding of the demands of such work on them, how they cope, and what enables them to fulfi ll their roles.This review will explore these themes by highlighting important findings and areas of uncertainty.

Keywords

at-risk factorsfirst respondersimpact of disasterspost-traumatic reactionsphysical welfarepsychologicalresearchresiliencevulnerability factors
Type
Comprehensive Review
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 24 , Issue 2 , April 2009 , pp. 87 - 94
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2009

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