Disaster Training for Prehospital Providers

Abstract

Objective. To survey prehospital providers to determine 1) the quantity andformat of training recalled over the past year in chemical, biological, radiological/nuclear (CBRN), andother mass casualty events (MCEs); 2) preferred educational formats; 3) self-assessed preparedness for various CBRN/MCEs; and4) perceived likelihood of occurrence for CBRN/MCEs. Methods. A survey, consisting of 11 questions, was distributed to 1,010 prehospital providers in a system where no formal CBRN/mass casualty training was given. Results. Surveys were completed by 640 (63%) prehospital providers. Twenty-two percent (22%) of prehospital providers recalled no training within the past year for CBRN or other MCEs, 19% reported 1–5 hours, 15% reported 6–10 hours, 24% reported 11–39 hours, and7% reported receiving greater than 40 hours. Lectures anddrills were the most common formats for prior education. On a five-point scale (1: “Never Helpful” through 5: “Always Helpful”) regarding the helpfulness of training methods, median scores were the following: drills–5, lectures–4, self-study packets–3, Web-based learning–3, andother–4. On another five-point scale (1: “Totally Unprepared” through 5: “Strongly Prepared”), prehospital providers felt most prepared for MCEs–4, followed by chemical–4, biological–3, andradiation/nuclear–3. Over half (61%) felt MCEs were “Somewhat Likely” or “Very Likely” to occur, whereas chemical (42%), biological (38%), or radiation/nuclear (33%) rated lower. Conclusion. The amount of training in the past year reported for CBRN events varied greatly, with almost a quarter recalling no education. Drills andlectures were the most used andpreferred formats for disaster training. Prehospital providers felt least prepared for a radiological;/nuclear event. Future studies should focus on the consistency andquality of education provided.

Key words:

• disaster planning
• emergency service
• hospital
• emergency medical technicians
• in-service training
• prehospital care