PLACE, ROLE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID IN THE OCCURRENCE OF NATURAL DISASTERS

Abstract

Natural disasters have always been a component of human life. However, with appropriate knowledge of main psychosocial laws and processes going on during disasters inside individuals and groups and with an adequate preparedness, we can react in a timely and proper manner and reduce the consequences of disasters to a minimum. Improper and late reaction after the disaster may cause even worse consequences as the original disaster. Preparations include psychological conditioning of the team itself (fire brigade, rescue workers, policemen and other rescue actors and aid-providers after the disaster), as well as of the inhabitants or all Slovenian citizens. Old wisdom saying that a good plan represents three quarters of the solution to the problem or of the task execution is very true in the case of disaster interventions. Although one wants to reduce disasters to a minimum, at the same time one willingly or unwillingly causes such occurrences by one's acts. Stepmotherly attitude towards the nature, uncontrolled exploitation of its natural resources, uncontrolled waste disposal, deforestation, changing water courses, building road, residential and industrial infrastructure, exhaust gases, …, they urge the nature to protest against human conduct. Warming of the atmosphere, droughts, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, …, are a response of the nature to the inconsiderate human interference. Disasters never interfere only with the area of natural and material goods; they always interfere, with more or less power, indirectly or directly, with the area of human existence. The individual's damage suffered and his or her reactions will be particularly dependent on the psychical stability, personal system of values and, above all, on his or her integration into social environment.