Covid-19 impacts on emergency responder resilience in Bergen and London

Bibliographic Data

ID3897698
AuthorsJulia Eïd (0000-0002-4079-842X, Department of Psychosocial Science University of Bergen Norway, corresponding author), I Kelman (0000-0002-4191-6969, Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction and Institute for Global Health, University College London, United Kingdom and University of Agder Norway), Kjersti B Valdersnes (0009-0006-5003-1712, Department of Psychosocial Science University of Bergen Norway), Roar Espevik (0000-0002-6472-4636, Swedish Defence University Sweden), Guttorm Brattebø (0000-0002-7124-5641, National Advisory Unit on Emergency Medical Communication, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Haukeland University Hospital, and Department of Clinical Medicine University of Bergen Norway), Aase Lyngvaer Hansen (0000-0003-2392-0929, Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, and Centre for Research and Education in Forensic Psychiatry Haukeland University Hospital Norway), Laila Shahzad (0000-0001-8629-7586, Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction and Institute for Global Health, University College London, United Kingdom, and Sustainable Development Study Centre Government College University Pakistan), Gianluca Pescaroli (0000-0003-3468-2970, Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction and Institute for Global Health, University College London, and Centre for Risk Studies University of Cambridge United Kingdom)
Year2025
Volume49
Issue3
Pagese12683-e12683
Publication date2025-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueDisasters (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0361-3666 • E-ISSN: 1467-7717
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/disa.12683
PMID40103333
OpenAlexW4408636886
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited40

This study qualitatively compares how 18 experienced emergency responders from the fire services in Bergen, Norway, and London, United Kingdom, maintained and adapted their organisation's work, routines, and leadership practices to maintain operational capacity, preparedness, and resilience during the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic from 2020-23. Semi-structured, qualitative interviews were conducted with nine experienced emergency responders in London and nine in Bergen, enquiring how the pandemic affected their work, their needs for maintaining operational preparedness going forward, and their COVID-19 experiences. Four themes emerged, related to their emotional experiences, how to maintain readiness, continuing to serve the community, and professionalism and learning. The discussion of these themes highlights the need for flexibility in planning, rather than comprehensive plans, and leadership that understands emergency responders' requirements. Drawing on the unique aspects of this study, a two-country comparison and the focus on experienced emergency responders, recommendations are offered for individual and organisational resilience, and the interface between them

Business · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Disease · Emergency management · First responder · Flexibility (engineering · Focus group · Management · Medical emergency · Pandemic · Political science · Preparedness · Psychological resilience · Public relations · Qualitative research · Resilience (materials science · Sociology · Work (physics · Disaster Management and Resilience · Disaster Response and Management · Engineering · Medicine · Psychology · Resilience and Mental Health · Social Psychology · Marketing