Emergency Preparedness and Role Clarity among Rescue Workers during the Terror Attacks in Norway July 22, 2011.
BACKGROUND
Few studies address preparedness and role clarity in rescue workers after a disaster. On July 22, 2011, Norway was struck by two terror attacks; 77 people were killed and many injured. Healthcare providers, police officers and firefighters worked under demanding conditions. The aims of this study were to examine the level of preparedness, exposure and role clarity. In addition, the relationship between demographic variables, preparedness and exposure and a) role clarity during the rescue operations and; b) achieved mastering for future disaster operations.


METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, healthcare providers (n = 859), police officers (n = 252) and firefighters (n = 102) returned a questionnaire approximately 10 months after the terror attacks.


RESULTS
The rescue personnel were trained and experienced, and the majority knew their professional role (healthcare providers M = 4.1 vs. police officers: M = 3.9 vs. firefighters: M = 4.2, p < .001, [scale 1-5]). The police officers reported significantly more lack of control (p < .001). In the multivariable analysis, being female (OR 1.4, p < .05), having more years of work experience (OR 2.3, p = < .001), previous training (OR 1.6, p < .05) and the experience of an event with > 5 fatalities (OR 1.6, p < .05) were all associated with role clarity, together with a feeling of control, not being obstructed in work and perceiving the rescue work as a success. Moreover, independent predictors of being more prepared for future operations were arousal during the operation (OR 2.0, p < .001) and perceiving the rescue work as a success (OR 1.5, p < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
Most of the rescue workers were experienced and knew their professional role. Training and everyday-work-experience must be a focal point when preparing rescue workers for disaster.
Departments of General Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Anesthesia, Emergency Care, Intensive Care, and Obstetrics, Ringerike Hospital, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, Drammen, Norway.
May Janne Botha
MJ
Pedersen
Departments of Anesthesia, Intensive Care, and Emergency, Baerum Hospital, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, Drammen, Norway.
Astrid
A
Gjerland
Department of Psychology, University of Oslo and Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, Drammen, Norway.
Bjørn Rishovd
BR
Rund
Department of Behavioral Sciences in Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.|Department of Acute Medicine, Research and Development, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Øivind
Ø
Ekeberg
Department of Acute Medicine, Research and Development, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.|Paramedic Sciences, Oslo and Akershus University College, Oslo, Norway.
Laila
L
Skogstad
D000328:Adult; D002959:Civil Defense / Q000379:methods*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000379:methods*; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D061388:Firefighters / Q000523:psychology*; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D016495:Police / Q000523:psychology*; D018635:Rescue Work / Q000379:methods*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D023481:Terrorism