Corinne A. Beaugard, Valerie Hruschak, C. Lee, Jenifer A. Swab, Sheila Roth, Daniel Rosen
{"title":"Emergency medical services on the frontlines of the opioid overdose crisis: the role of mental health, substance use, and burnout","authors":"Corinne A. Beaugard, Valerie Hruschak, C. Lee, Jenifer A. Swab, Sheila Roth, Daniel Rosen","doi":"10.1108/ijes-11-2021-0073","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/ijes-11-2021-0073","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeEmergency medical service (EMS) workers are at risk for burnout related to the opioid overdose crisis because they are frequently present during overdose events. The study’s aims were twofold: 1) to determine whether variables related to the opioid crisis were associated with burnout and 2) to explore the relationship between mental health, sleep, substance use, social support, and attitudes about working during the opioid overdose crisis with burnout.Design/methodology/approachIn a cross-sectional web-based study, surveys were distributed by supervisors to EMS workers in Pennsylvania (winter 2018). Participants (n = 214) completed measures on burnout, social support, mental health, substance use, and sleep quality and reported their frequency of naloxone administration and their attitudes about working during the opioid overdose crisis. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were run to determine correlates of burnout.FindingsThe sample was 65.4% male, 91.5% white, and 43% were between 36–55 years old. In the regression model (n = 177), depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep, attitudes about working during the opioid crisis, cannabis use, social support, age, hours worked each week, and frequency of naloxone administration were significantly correlated with burnout.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the emergent literature on burnout and EMS professionals during the opioid overdose crisis by finding that attitudes about working during the opioid overdose crisis are correlated with burnout. While the relationship should be explored in future research, the authors believe that interventions to prevent EMS burnout could incorporate training to improve attitudes about supporting individuals during overdose events.","PeriodicalId":44087,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Emergency Services","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2022-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46816397","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Motivational regulation and physical activity in future emergency responders – staying fit, healthy and safe in a demanding occupational context","authors":"Ole Ragnar Norheim Jenssen, Thomas Dillern","doi":"10.1108/ijes-09-2021-0060","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/ijes-09-2021-0060","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeTo meet physically demanding occupational tasks, reduce occupational stress and work-related injuries and to uphold general health, emergency responders need to maintain a certain level of physical fitness. However, among emergency responders a career-long decreasing physical fitness constitutes a challenge. Based on the self-determination theory (SDT), this study aims to explore if there is any relationship between motivational regulation and physical activity patterns among future emergency responders.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a survey design including two questionnaires: Sport Motivation Scale-2 (SMS-2) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form (IPAQ–SF), and 258 students at the Norwegian Police University College (NPUC) participated.FindingsThe authors’ findings revealed a significant relationship between motivational regulation and physical activity patterns amongst police students. The study reveals the value of the SDT in understanding exercise behaviour and physical activity adherence amongst emergency responders, and moreover, the importance of fostering intrinsic motivation, in the educational institutions, to increase physical activity and physical activity adherence throughout their career.Originality/valueTo the authors’ knowledge, there is limited research which uses the motivation theory to explain the development of physical fitness and health amongst emergency responders. With this approach, this study is something new to this discussion and should be of interest for both educational institutions and authorities managing emergency responders.","PeriodicalId":44087,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Emergency Services","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2022-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48319233","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
E. Lantz, Bengt Nilsson, C. Elmqvist, B. Fridlund, A. Svensson
{"title":"Serving the community while balancing multiple responsibilities – experiences of working as a paid part-time firefighter","authors":"E. Lantz, Bengt Nilsson, C. Elmqvist, B. Fridlund, A. Svensson","doi":"10.1108/ijes-03-2022-0018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/ijes-03-2022-0018","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeThe purpose of this study was to describe experiences of working as a paid part-time firefighter (PTF) in Swedish rural areas.Design/methodology/approachAn inductive explorative design was used, based on interviews with 18 paid PTFs in Sweden. Data were analyzed using qualitative latent content analysis.FindingsThree themes emerged from the interviews and describe paid PTFs’ experiences. The findings provide insights into how firefighters share a strong commitment, how support plays a crucial role, and how training and call-outs contribute to their experiences. Paid PTFs’ experiences are nuanced, ranging from personal limitations and challenges to satisfaction and the contrast with ordinary life.Practical implicationsThe implications for fire and rescue service organizations are that they can encourage firefighters’ commitment and pride, as well as the commitment and support of their families and main employers. Further, highlighting the importance of support and facilitating flexibility when on call is crucial. Finally, acknowledging and promoting personal development and facilitating an inclusive culture are important factors for both motivation and satisfaction.Originality/valuePaid PTFs are under-represented in the literature, despite the reliance on them in Sweden, and this study begins to address the knowledge gap. To improve retention, it is vital to understand paid PTFs work situation: what motivates them, what barriers they face, and how those challenges influence their experiences.","PeriodicalId":44087,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Emergency Services","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2022-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41337124","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Sustainability disclosure and its impact on telecommunication and information technology sectors' performance: worldwide evidence","authors":"Amina Buallay, Meera Al Marri","doi":"10.1108/ijes-08-2021-0054","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/ijes-08-2021-0054","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeThis study investigates the relationship between the level of sustainability disclosure and telecommunication and information technology (IT) sectors' performance (operational, financial and market).Design/methodology/approachUsing data culled from 4,458 observations from 60 different countries for 10 years (2008–2017), an independent variable derived from environmental, social and governance (ESG) score are regressed against dependent manufacture performance indicator variables [return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE) and Tobin's Q (TQ)]. Two types of control variables complete the regression analysis in this study: firm-specific and macroeconomic.FindingsThe findings elicited from the empirical results demonstrate that there is a significant negative relationship between ESG and market performance (TQ). However, there is no significant effect of ESG on both operational (ROA) and financial performance (ROE). Moreover, the findings elicited from the partial least square structural equation modeling the relationship between ESG and ROA is stronger in emerging than in developed economies.Practical implicationsThe authors' opinion for policy makers is that it is essential to promote and implement the appropriate legislative framework for sustainability reporting, which should enhance both the sustainability practices as well the profitability of IT firms.Originality/valueThe model in this study presents a valuable analytical framework for exploring sustainability disclosure as a driver of performance in telecommunication and IT sectors' economies. In addition, this study highlights telecommunication and IT sectors' management lacunae manifesting in terms of the weak nexus between each component of ESG and IT sectors' performance.","PeriodicalId":44087,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Emergency Services","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2022-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44182105","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Is trade, energy consumption and economic growth threat to environmental quality in Bahrain–evidence from VECM and ARDL bound test approach","authors":"Md. Shabbir Alam","doi":"10.1108/ijes-12-2021-0084","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/ijes-12-2021-0084","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeThe Kingdom of Bahrain has had tremendous development in various areas in the last decade. As a result of this, increasing energy consumption in Bahrain puts a strain on the country's energy supplies and increased CO2 emissions. This study investigates the determinants of carbon emissions in Bahrain.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds test and vector error correction model (VECM) Granger causality cointegration methods for empirical analysis during 1980-2020. The unit root test and residual diagnosis have been applied to see the stationarity and normality of the model.FindingsThe analysis suggests no short run causality amid carbon emission, international trade, capital formation, economic development and energy consumption, but a long-run association jointly exist from the exogenous variables toward endogenous variables. The results of the study also revealed that trade and economic growth in Bahrain react negatively to environmental deterioration.Practical implicationsThis research study’s outcome will help the policymakers to build sound external and environmental policies to sustain economic growth and suggested policymakers to emphasize on sustainable usage of energy, alternatives of energy supply, and creation of renewable energy to mitigate the impact of CO2 emission.Social implicationsThe alternatives of energy supply and creation of renewable energy can positively influence the socio-economic state of the nation, like new job opportunities, revenue generation.Originality/valueThis study is unique as no other study till now has covered this period. The findings are also different as the past studies found short-run causality with the control variables, but the study found a long-run causality jointly.","PeriodicalId":44087,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Emergency Services","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2022-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45090917","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"How did fire and rescue services (and HMICFRS) in England respond to the COVID-19 pandemic?","authors":"P. Murphy, K. Lakoma","doi":"10.1108/ijes-10-2021-0070","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/ijes-10-2021-0070","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeThis paper explores how fire and rescue services in England responded to the challenges and opportunities presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. It examines the form and nature of fire and rescue services’ collaborations with the ambulance, police and other services and how effective their emergency planning arrangements prepared them for the pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThe authors briefly set out the background to the emergency services response to recent events of national significance in the UK and North America, focussing on the collaborative aspects of the emergency services response. The authors then examine three sets of secondary sources, namely documents specifically related to Fire and Rescue Services’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK.FindingsAll three investigations found that the pandemic had provided an opportunity for issues relating to planning and collaboration to be re-examined and for the emergence of new innovations (both technological and organisational) to provide new responses and solutions. Although the Inspectorate found that the services had generally responded well, it controversially criticised the role of the Fire Brigades Union in the national and local response to the pandemic.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is situationally bound to England although there may be transferable lessons to other services and jurisdictions.Practical implicationsPotential future improvements are identified at national and local levels for policy and for the operational response to widespread and long-term emergencies.Originality/valueEngland has had very few contemporary public health emergencies on the scale of the COVID-19 pandemic; this research presents an important opportunity for seeking to understand what is working well and where improvements are required to improve both the local and national response in relation to such a complex and dynamic environment.","PeriodicalId":44087,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Emergency Services","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2022-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48846969","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Emergency responders’ moral sensemaking: the influence of compartmentalization","authors":"J. Kalkman, E. Kramer","doi":"10.1108/ijes-10-2021-0069","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/ijes-10-2021-0069","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeEmergency organizations allocate specific tasks to responders in an attempt to resolve increasingly complex incidents. Many studies take a pragmatic perspective by studying how emergency organizations can more effectively compartmentalize response tasks. Yet, the effects of compartmentalization on responders' sensemaking of moral issues (i.e. moral sensemaking) has received almost no attention.Design/methodology/approachBased on existing research, the authors bring together different insights on the relation between compartmentalization and emergency responders’ sensemaking of moral issues.FindingsThe authors demonstrate that emergency organizations may undermine the moral sensemaking of responders through introducing moral blind spots and moral dissociation or, instead, enable moral sensemaking through enhancing moral agency and awareness. The authors argue that emergency organizations need to induce moral sense-discrediting among responders to enhance their moral sensemaking. Finally, the authors conclude with discussing two types of compartmentalizing tasks, functional concentration and the holographic metaphor, to show that the latter is most likely to enhance moral sensemaking among emergency responders.Originality/valueThis study introduces moral sensemaking to the emergency management literature and investigates how organizational design influences it.","PeriodicalId":44087,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Emergency Services","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2022-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44938966","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
G. Brown, A. Largey, C. McMullan, Gráinne O'Shea, N. Reilly
{"title":"Voices from the frontline: a review of EMS first responders' experience of COVID-19 in Ireland","authors":"G. Brown, A. Largey, C. McMullan, Gráinne O'Shea, N. Reilly","doi":"10.1108/ijes-11-2021-0074","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/ijes-11-2021-0074","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeThis study explored the experiences of Irish emergency medical services (EMS) first responders during the first nationwide restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19.Design/methodology/approachA systematic literature review (SLR) of research into healthcare workers' and first responders' experiences during the COVID-19 and 2003 SARS pandemics was performed. The SLR informed the content of an online questionnaire distributed via the Irish Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council to 2,092 first responders on its live register. Data analysis used both descriptive and content analysis.FindingsEMS first responders faced many challenges including PPE quality, training on its use, issues with decontamination facilities, and organisational effectiveness. Emotional challenges included the anxiety experienced, the impact on families, and ethical dilemmas confronted related to patient care. Positive findings also emerged, such as first responders' dedication to working through the pandemic, collegiality, and the community goodwill displayed.Originality/valueWhile investigations of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers have been undertaken globally, studies focussing exclusively on the experiences of EMS first responders have been rare. This study addressed this knowledge gap, providing an insight into the challenges and successes experienced by first responders and identifying opportunities for learning that can be applied to future public health emergencies.","PeriodicalId":44087,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Emergency Services","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2022-06-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43424389","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ching Seng Yap, William Keling, Shamsul Kamariah Abdullah
{"title":"Use of social media for information seeking and sharing during floods in rural Sarawak","authors":"Ching Seng Yap, William Keling, Shamsul Kamariah Abdullah","doi":"10.1108/ijes-07-2020-0042","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/ijes-07-2020-0042","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeThis study aims to examine the information acquired and shared by floods victims in Sarawak, Malaysia, and the individuals’ perception of social media information quality and awareness of social media emergency services.Design/methodology/approachThe research data were gathered from 118 victims in two flood-ravaged villages with a researcher-administered questionnaire survey. Meanwhile, the research instrument was adopted from Reuter and Spielhofer (2017).FindingsResultantly, 93% of the respondents employed social media for information-seeking and sharing during floods. For example, Facebook was the most extensively employed digital platform. The most highly sought and exchanged information involved eyewitness pictures or videos, road or traffic conditions and weather conditions or warnings. Although social media information quality reflected faster obtainability, higher accessibility and enriched content, respondents’ viewpoints of social media information quality regarding accuracy and reliability proved negative. Notably, over half of the respondents were unaware of the two social media emergency services: Twitter Alerts and Facebook Safety Check.Originality/valueThis study denoted one of the rare empirical works that explored social media usage for information-seeking and sharing by the flood victims in Sarawak based on the boundary object perspective.","PeriodicalId":44087,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Emergency Services","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2022-06-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48508736","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Visions of improvement: a thematic analysis of executive leadership","authors":"Bryan Rodgers, J. Anthony","doi":"10.1108/ijes-01-2022-0002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/ijes-01-2022-0002","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeThis article explores the themes and gaps around the embedding of continuous improvement (CI) methodologies within public sector organisations and in particular the emergency services.Design/methodology/approachThe article is structured around three case studies of national emergency service organisations in Scotland, UK, and is based on 23 interviews with executive members of these organisations as well as of their oversight and inspection bodies and staff associations or unions.FindingsThe findings narrow the gaps in the existing literature around the more holistic and organisation wide approaches to CI and evidence internal challenges around shared understanding, explicit commitment to CI through executive leaders and corporate documents as well as a need for a broader organisational culture of trust and empowerment in order to sustain CI.Practical implicationsThe research identifies clear priorities for sustaining CI within the emergency services as well as the opportunities and challenges to doing so. These inform internal CI activities as well as intra-agency development and external influences such as the role of government.Originality/valueWhile leadership is long established as a critical success factor in the success of CI initiatives, this is the first research to explore and analyse the existing understanding and commitment of executive leaders in emergency services.","PeriodicalId":44087,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Emergency Services","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2022-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48625736","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}