Some of the most important jobs in our society are the first responders—those who face danger every day and keep going back to save lives. However, there isn’t much research about how people deal with recurring traumatic situations. In this article (Lee et al., 2024), researchers investigated the idea of safety climate and its effects on first responders. Safety climate is defined as shared perceptions of safety policies, procedures, and practices.
THE RESEARCH STUDY
The researchers studied 208 EMS responders over a six-month period. They found that a shared sense of safety climate led to higher levels of safety compliance, although this effect was diminished when levels of emotional exhaustion were high. In addition, safety climates lessened the likelihood that emotional exhaustion would lead to depression or decreased morale.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
To better take care of first responders, organizations may consider doing the following:
- Involve employees in developing processes, procedures, and change efforts. Securing employee buy-in will better illuminate their actual needs, which could lessen the potential for emotional exhaustion.
- Prioritize building a safety climate. This involves establishing clear safety procedures and protocols, and also cultivating a sense of psychological safety, where employees feel comfortable voicing concerns or mistakes without fear of repercussions.
- Develop training and resources to help bolster psychological health. This may include coaching, coping skills, or access to professional mental health services.
Lee, J., Resick, C. J., Allen, J. A., Davis, A. L., & Taylor, J. A. (2024). Interplay between safety climate and emotional exhaustion: Effects on first responders’ safety behavior and wellbeing over time. Journal of Business and Psychology, 39, 209-231.
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