WHAT LESSONS CAN BE LEARNT FROM THE RECENT EXPERIENCE OF FIRST AID TEAMS WITH REGARD TO PSYCHO-SOCIAL CARE FOR PEOPLE AFFECTED BY NATURAL AND OTHER DISASTERS?

Abstract

Civil Protection and Red Cross First Aid teams are becoming an increasingly recognised entity in the disaster management system. In addition to providing first aid to casualties, their task is also to give basic psycho-social care. The purpose of this article is to analyse the experience of first aid team members in providing psycho-social care during two simulated accidents and while providing initial care to migrants. Using a combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches, an analysis of the results from the 21^st National First Aid Competition of the Civil Protection and Red Cross First Aid teams, and of the evaluators’ comments, was carried out. Additionally, two group interviews were conducted with volunteers who participated in providing care to migrants. We found that teams providing psycho-social care and first aid to people with special needs achieved average results in the national competition. The team members were efficient in providing initial care to migrants; however, some (mostly systemic) weaknesses became apparent. In order for first aid teams to be an efficient part of the disaster management system, some improvements at various levels must be made.