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Emergency Management and Preparedness Training for Youth (EMPTY): The Results of the First Swedish Pilot Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 February 2018

Amir Khorram-Manesh ,
Johan Berlin ,
Lina Ljung Roseke ,
Johan Aremyr ,
Josef Sörensson  and
Eric Carlström
Amir Khorram-Manesh*
Affiliation:
Unit of Security and Preparedness, Former Prehospital and Disaster Medicine Center, Gothenburg, Sweden Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
Johan Berlin
Affiliation:
Department of Social and Behavioural Studies, University West, Trollhättan, Sweden
Lina Ljung Roseke
Affiliation:
Psychology Unit, Närhälsan, Borås, Sweden
Johan Aremyr
Affiliation:
Unit of Security and Preparedness, Former Prehospital and Disaster Medicine Center, Gothenburg, Sweden
Josef Sörensson
Affiliation:
Unit of Security and Preparedness, Former Prehospital and Disaster Medicine Center, Gothenburg, Sweden
Eric Carlström
Affiliation:
Unit of Security and Preparedness, Former Prehospital and Disaster Medicine Center, Gothenburg, Sweden Department of Health and Crisis Management and Policy, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden Department of Innovation and Management, University College of Southeast Norway, Borre, Norway
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to Amir Khorram-Manesh, Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Regionens Hus, 405 44 Gothenburg, Sweden (e-mail: amir.khorram-manesh@surgery.gu.se)
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Abstract

Objective

To examine the impact of a simulation training in raising a group of young students’ personal and situational awareness in disasters and emergencies.

Methods

In total, 25 young students participated in two simulation scenarios representing two actual events, fire, and shooting, using a combination of two validated simulation training (Emergency Management and Preparedness Training for Youth [EMPTY]). The changes in their knowledge and awareness were evaluated by using questionnaires and the whole simulation was evaluated by three independent observers and a reference group.

Results

New concepts of emergency management, for example, evacuation, and barricading, could be trained in a safe environment. There was a significant increase in students’ personal and situational awareness and their active engagement in the management of emergencies.

Conclusion

EMPTY could raise the youth basic knowledge and ability to understand the concept of preparedness by being mentally prepared, available for collaboration, gaining a higher confidence, understanding the physical and psychological consequences of a major incident and the importance of their own safety. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:685-688)

Keywords

youthemergency preparednesssimulationterrorism
Type
Brief Report
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 12 , Issue 6 , December 2018 , pp. 685 - 688
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2018 

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References

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