Emergency personnel faced with multiple challenges in a radiological emergency

Emergency personnel in decontamination tent Source: Ralf Hettler

Volunteers are an essential pillar of many civil protection organisations. On International Volunteer Day, the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) reminded us of the special challenges that volunteers and their colleagues face in an emergency – also in a radiological emergency.

"In the event of a disaster, the helpers on site are not only physically but also psychologically stressed", says Inge Paulini, President of the BfS. "In addition to the responsibility for others and the concern for one’s own health, the uncertainty of dealing with radiation can contribute to stress in a radiological emergency."

International Volunteer Day on 5 December

The protection of emergency personnel, which is regulated by law, is also taken into account in the General Emergency Plan, which is currently being developed by the federal and state governments. This involves protection strategies for different types of radiological emergencies. From the point of view of the BfS, the preparation of full-time and voluntary helpers for such emergencies is particularly important.

Every year on 5 December – International Volunteer Day – voluntary commitment is honoured. Volunteers perform valuable work in all areas of society, including civil protection and disaster management. Examples include local fire brigades, the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) and the German Red Cross (DRK). Volunteers play a central role in managing disasters. This also applies to radiological emergencies.

BfS research project on the psychosocial stresses of emergency personnel

Tracking of radioactive materials

There are currently legal regulations in place to protect emergency personnel from the damage to health caused by excess radiation. However, some personnel may suffer from not only acute and long-term medical consequences but also psychosocial ones. This is shown by research on the reactor disasters of Chernobyl in 1986 and Fukushima in 2011. According to the study, emergency personnel have an increased risk of developing depression and anxiety as well as psychosomatic and post-traumatic stress disorders.

Together with the University of Leipzig, the Risk Dialogue Foundation has evaluated studies on the topic on behalf of the BfS and supplemented them with expert interviews. The report "Determination of the information and protection needs of emergency personnel" shows that psychosocial emergency care is now established in many emergency response and relief organisations. However, it is also apparent that radiological stress triggers are not yet sufficiently taken into account in some cases.

Important aspects: training, information and communication

President of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Dr Inge Paulini

From the point of view of the BfS, three fields of action in particular need to be further investigated: training, information, and communication. Central aspects of this are addressed in the Radiation Protection Act as well as in the emergency plans of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Federal States.

BfS President Paulini emphasised: "Basic knowledge about radiation as well as interrelationships should be spread in advance and tailored to the respective target groups. This knowledge should then be applied regularly in the form of exercises. Information must also be quickly available and easy to understand in the event of an emergency. Through all of these measures, uncertainties – and ultimately mental stress – can be reduced."

The protection of the emergency personnel is also important because they act as disseminator among the population. The BfS attaches great importance to protecting the general population from the psychosocial consequences of a radiological emergency and is involved in international exchanges in this respect. According to the BfS, the protection of both the general population and emergency personnel from psychosocial consequences should be given greater consideration when planning emergency precautions.