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Emergency Responders

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Firefighters, police, and paramedics play a critical role in protecting people and property during fires, medical emergencies, terrorist acts, and natural disasters. RAND has examined the risks that emergency responders face—physical injury, traumatic stress, and hazardous exposures—and has offered guidelines to better protect them, beginning with an integrated approach to safety management that includes cooperation among local and state agencies, improved training, and careful planning.

Report

Suicide Prevention Hotlines in California Could Improve Services

Jul 12, 2016

Suicide prevention hotlines in California respond to callers in need and reduce caller distress. But they could improve their services and reach more users by expanding digital offerings such as chat services and establishing better programs to monitor and improve the quality of their services.
Commentary

Lessons for First Responders on the Front Lines of Terrorism

Jul 10, 2017

Given the persistent risk of terrorist attacks, it is critical to learn from past incidents to prepare for future ones. Medical and nonmedical first responders need more training in basic lifesaving skills. Open communication lines such as a dedicated radio frequency could help responders better coordinate. Disaster drills are also essential.

Explore Emergency Responders

Report

Translational Impacts of World Trade Center Health Program Research: A Mixed Methods Study

In this report, the authors describe the findings and recommendations of a four-year study of the World Trade Center Health Program's research portfolio and its translational impact. Recommendations are designed to help guide Program planning.

Oct 26, 2021
Research Brief

First Responder Claims for PTSD in Workers' Compensation: Assessing the Effects of Senate Bill 542 in California

Under California's Senate Bill 542, which creates a legal presumption that posttraumatic stress disorder in firefighters and peace officers is a work-related injury, additional costs to state and local governments could be large but are uncertain.

Sep 20, 2021
Report

Posttraumatic Stress in California's Workers' Compensation System: A Study of Mental Health Presumptions for Firefighters and Peace Officers Under Senate Bill 542

The authors evaluate the prevalence of mental health conditions among first responders in California and discuss policy implications, with a focus on how posttraumatic stress disorder is handled in the state's workers' compensation system.

Sep 20, 2021
Multimedia

From 9/11 to COVID-19: What Have We Learned About U.S. Preparedness?

RAND senior physical scientist Brian Jackson discusses emergency preparedness in the United States and lessons still being learned as the nation faces a global health crisis.

Sep 10, 2021
Report

Stress Control for Military, Law Enforcement, and First Responders: A Systematic Review

This report presents a systematic review of studies of interventions designed to prevent, identify, and manage acute occupational stress among military, law enforcement, and first responders.

Aug 16, 2021
Blog

Historic Lynchings and Voter Registration, China in Space, Firefighters' Mental Health: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on the link between historic lynchings and voter registration, Afghanistan in the era of fentanyl, supporting firefighters’ mental health, and more.

Jul 30, 2021
Commentary

As Fire Season Heats Up, Burnout Looms

Increasingly intense fire seasons are taking a physical and mental toll on wildland firefighters. Without more direct attention paid to firefighters' mental health, burnout could decimate the ranks of those who protect lives and property across the West.

Jul 21, 2021
Research Brief

Promising Practices from Community Corrections Organizations' COVID-19 Response: Ensuring Safety in the Community

This brief highlights the challenges that the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic posed for community supervision organizations, how they adapted to those challenges, and a discussion of which adaptations might hold promise after the pandemic.

Apr 30, 2021
Research Brief

Promising Practices from Law Enforcement's COVID-19 Response: Protecting the Public

This brief highlights the challenges that the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic posed for law enforcement agencies, how they adapted to those challenges, and a discussion of which adaptations might hold promise after the pandemic.

Apr 30, 2021
Research Brief

Promising Practices from the Court System's COVID-19 Response: Ensuring Access to Justice While Protecting Public Health

This brief highlights the challenges that the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic posed for the court system, how courts adapted to those challenges, and a discussion of which adaptations might hold promise after the pandemic.

Apr 30, 2021
Research Brief

Promising Practices from the Institutional Corrections System's COVID-19 Response: Managing Safety and Security on the Inside

This brief highlights the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic created, shows how corrections agencies adapted to the challenges, describes which adaptations may hold promise, and provides evaluations to demonstrate the efficacy of such adaptations.

Apr 30, 2021
Research Brief

Promising Practices from Victim Services Providers' COVID-19 Response: Protecting Victims and Those Who Serve Them

This brief highlights the challenges that the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic posed for victims services providers, describes how they adapted to those challenges, and discusses which adaptations might hold promise after the pandemic.

Apr 30, 2021
Report

Lessons Learned from the Justice System's Pandemic Response

Incarcerated populations, corrections staff, court personnel, and law enforcement were hit hard by COVID-19. At the same time, national protests after the killing of George Floyd and other Black Americans increased pressure for criminal justice reform. Insights from this time could help the justice system prepare for future challenges.

Apr 8, 2021
Commentary

Planning for a COVID-19 Hurricane

What if Hurricane Katrina had hit during a pandemic? Emergency planners can prepare for this scenario by evaluating current response system capacity, evacuation and sheltering procedures, food and supply issues, and more.

May 4, 2020
Commentary

The Justice System and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Resources for Policymakers

From closed courts to increased risk for first responders, the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced new challenges for the justice system. RAND research provides insights that may be helpful as decisionmakers try and address some of these issues.

Apr 20, 2020
Report

The Frequency and Economic Impact of Musculoskeletal Disorders for California Firefighters: Trends and Outcomes over the Past Decade

The authors update analyses from a 2010 study on firefighters in California and consider the impacts of the 2013 workers' compensation reforms and the economic shocks of the late 2000s on outcomes for firefighters with musculoskeletal disorders.

Jan 31, 2020
Report

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Early Assistance After Disasters

After human-made disasters, early assistance from potentially responsible parties can sometimes fill gaps that are not always addressed by NGOs and first responders. But is providing such assistance a good strategy in terms of reducing future litigation or improving public opinion?

Nov 14, 2019
Journal Article

Diffusing Portable Radiation Detectors Among First Responders

This article discusses police technology adoption and the ability to diffuse portable radiation detectors. Other impacts related to community resilience are discussed.

Jul 3, 2019
Report

Understanding the Economic Benefit Associated with Research and Services at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: An Approach and Three Case Studies

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) asked the RAND Corporation to develop an approach for estimating the economic benefit of NIOSH research, using three case studies. A new report details findings and recommendations.

Jan 2, 2018

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Emergency Responders

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