title: Financial and economic considerations for emergency response providers.
abstract: Catastrophic events often threaten or cause depletion of resources. It is generally accepted that changes inherent to disasters are stressful. The Conservation of Resources Theory predicts that positive and negative changes in resources will have markedly different effects.28 This theory proposes that resource losses are psychologically stressful, whereas resource gains buffer against the effects of resource loss. For first responders, the level of preparedness is crucial. Investments in planning, training, and logistics are necessary to mitigate the stress associated with a crisis. Stress is also related to not knowing the future of their loved ones if death or permanent incapacity occurs, hence specific laws and financial resources provide a safety net to dependents of first responders and survivors. This kind of safety gives the first responders peace of mind and assurance that the future of their dependents will not be jeopardized. Incentives that are offered let the first responders know that they are valued and appreciated. Indeed, financial support considerably helps first responders before, during, and after catastrophic events. It assists them to cope with stress at the individual level and allows them to become more resilient; this resonates to the community and country in which they serve and enhances their potential to save lives and prevent disabilities.
authors.affiliation: Harris County Hospital District, Houston, TX 77026, USA. anne_liong@hchd.tmc.edu
authors.forename: Anne S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Liong
authors.forename: Samuel U
authors.initials: SU
authors.lastname: Liong
mesh_terms: D019985:Benchmarking; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004631:Emergency Medical Service Communication Systems / Q000458:organization & administration; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D016272:Occupational Health; D010560:Personnel Selection / Q000458:organization & administration; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits / Q000191:economics*; D018511:Systems Integration; D014838:Volunteers / Q000458:organization & administration