title: 'We Will Never Ever Forget.': the Swissair flight 111 disaster and its impact on volunteers and communities.
abstract: In collaboration with a Community Advisory Group we examined the impact of the 1998 Swissair Flight 111 disaster on volunteer responders and surrounding communities. We conducted qualitative interviews and administered a set of structured questionnaires to 13 volunteer disaster workers and conducted a focus group with community leaders. Community silence and limited help-seeking behaviour were typical reactions to the SA 111 disaster. The nature and duration of the disaster response efforts contributed to a probable 46 per cent PTSD rate in the community volunteers. Community-based, culturally appropriate followup, as well as the development of volunteer protocols for future disaster response efforts, are necessary to minimize long-term health impacts and to promote resilience among community residents and volunteers exposed to a major disaster.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health & Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Canada. tmitchel@wlu.ca
authors.forename: Terry L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Kara
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Griffin
authors.forename: Sherry H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Loba
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001359:Aviation; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004190:Disasters; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014838:Volunteers