Factors influencing readiness to deploy in disaster response: findings from a cross-sectional survey of the Department of Veterans Affairs Disaster Emergency Medical Personnel System

Abstract

BackgroundThe Disaster Emergency Medical Personnel System (DEMPS) program provides a system of volunteers whereby active or retired Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) personnel can register to be deployed to support other VA facilities or the nation during national emergencies or disasters. Both early and ongoing volunteer training is required to participate.MethodsThis study aims to identify factors that impact willingness to deploy in the event of an emergency. This analysis was based on responses from 2,385 survey respondents (response rate, 29%). Latent variable path models were developed and tested using the EQS structural equations modeling program. Background demographic variables of education, age, minority ethnicity, and female gender were used as predictors of intervening latent variables of DEMPS Volunteer Experience, Positive Attitude about Training, and Stress. The model had acceptable fit statistics, and all three intermediate latent variables significantly predicted the outcome latent variable Readiness to Deploy.ResultsDEMPS Volunteer Experience and a Positive Attitude about Training were associated with Readiness to Deploy. Stress was associated with decreased Readiness to Deploy. Female gender was negatively correlated with Readiness to Deploy; however, there was an indirect relationship between female gender and Readiness to Deploy through Positive Attitude about Training.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that volunteer emergency management response programs such as DEMPS should consider how best to address the factors that may make women less ready to deploy than men in order to ensure adequate gender representation among emergency responders. The findings underscore the importance of training opportunities to ensure that gender-sensitive support is a strong component of emergency response, and may apply to other emergency response programs such as the Medical Reserve Corps and the American Red Cross.

Workforce preparedness for disasters: perceptions of clinical and non-clinical staff at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

“…Additionally, women healthcare workers were reported to be less willing to respond during a disaster, especially during epidemics [2,13,21]; and younger respondents were more likely to be absent than their older colleagues [2,16]. Women VA volunteers within the Disaster Emergency Medical Personnel System (DEMPS) program were also somewhat less ready to deploy in the event of a disaster compared to men, perhaps due to disproportionate responsibilities for caregiving [39]. It is also possible that the observed gender differences are due to differences in risk-taking behaviors between men and women [40,41].…”

Enhancing disaster preparedness of specialty nurses on a national scale

“…The disaster exercise confirmed that large numbers of team members were available when called on to be deployed. The availability rate of 79% demonstrated in the disaster exercise, is higher than the 50% availability rate observed among disaster response workers elsewhere (Zagelbaum et al, 2014). This difference was likely due to the unique purpose of the DRST, the recruitment procedures and ongoing rotations, and the commitment and ownership that the nurses felt towards the partnership.…”

Veterans Health Administration’s Disaster Emergency Medical Personnel System (DEMPS) Training Evaluation: Potential Implications for Disaster Health Care Volunteers

“…In general, other studies have suggested that an ancillary benefit to any education or training program may be improved volunteer satisfaction, commitment, confidence, and willingness to continue to participate. 6,9,18 The current study has also demonstrated that more participation in training (based on number of modes) and deployment can improve volunteers' willingness to continue in DEMPS or recommend it to others. Participants specifically noted in their written responses that training and field exercises could keep volunteers involved in the program.…”