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Havârneanu GM, Petersen L, Arnold A, Carbon D, Görgen T. Preparing railway stakeholders against CBRNe threats through better cooperation with security practitioners. APPLIED ERGONOMICS 2022; 102:103752. [PMID: 35395581 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2022.103752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents partial results from the Horizon2020 PROACTIVE project, following a set of literature reviews and surveys conducted with first responder organisations and rail security experts. Qualitative and quantitative data from two surveys are being presented. The results provide an overview of the CBRNe (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and explosive) preparedness and response capabilities of railway stakeholders and how these relate to a wider context represented by CBRNe first responders. The results highlight a set of challenges as well as five core skills that railway staff need to develop or improve: 1) understand the specific characteristics of the CBRNe threat, 2) develop basic response measures, 3) cooperate with authorities and train with specialised first responders, 4) improve public awareness about this threat, and 5) optimise crisis communication. In line with these, project PROACTIVE will further help update rail crisis management plans with practical recommendations concerning the CBRNe threat.
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Symons C, Amlôt R, Carter H, Rubin GJ. Effects of threat and efficacy messages on expected adherence to decontamination protocols in an immersive simulated chemical incident: A randomized controlled experiment. JOURNAL OF CONTINGENCIES AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1468-5973.12320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Charles Symons
- Emergency Response Department Science and Technology Health Protection and Medical Directorate Public Health England Salisbury UK
- Department of Psychological Medicine King’s College London London UK
| | - Richard Amlôt
- Emergency Response Department Science and Technology Health Protection and Medical Directorate Public Health England Salisbury UK
| | - Holly Carter
- Emergency Response Department Science and Technology Health Protection and Medical Directorate Public Health England Salisbury UK
| | - G. James Rubin
- Department of Psychological Medicine King’s College London London UK
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Michie S, West R, Rogers MB, Bonell C, Rubin GJ, Amlôt R. Reducing SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the UK: A behavioural science approach to identifying options for increasing adherence to social distancing and shielding vulnerable people. Br J Health Psychol 2020; 25:945-956. [PMID: 32428385 PMCID: PMC7276722 DOI: 10.1111/bjhp.12428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Purpose To describe and discuss a systematic method for producing a very rapid response (3 days) to a UK government policy question in the context of reducing SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission. Methods A group of behavioural and social scientists advising the UK government on COVID‐19 contributed to the analysis and writing of advice through the Government Office for Science. The question was as follows: What are the options for increasing adherence to social distancing (staying at home except for essential journeys and work) and shielding vulnerable people (keeping them at home and away from others)? This was prior to social distancing legislation being implemented. The first two authors produced a draft, based on analysis of the current government guidance and the application of the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) framework to identify and evaluate the options. Results For promoting social distancing, 10 options were identified for improving adherence. They covered improvements in ways of achieving the BCW intervention types of education, persuasion, incentivization, and coercion. For promoting shielding of vulnerable people, four options were identified covering the BCW intervention types of incentivization, coercion, and enablement. Conclusions Responding to policymakers very rapidly as has been necessary during the COVID‐19 pandemic can be facilitated by using a framework to structure the thinking and reporting of multidisciplinary academics and policymakers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Michie
- Centre for Behaviour Change, University College London, UK
| | - Robert West
- Institute of Epidemiology and Health, University College London, UK
| | | | - Chris Bonell
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK
| | - G James Rubin
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, UK
| | - Richard Amlôt
- Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Salisbury, UK
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Pearce JM, Lindekilde L, Parker D, Rogers MB. Communicating with the Public About Marauding Terrorist Firearms Attacks: Results from a Survey Experiment on Factors Influencing Intention to "Run, Hide, Tell" in the United Kingdom and Denmark. RISK ANALYSIS : AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SOCIETY FOR RISK ANALYSIS 2019; 39:1675-1694. [PMID: 30893483 DOI: 10.1111/risa.13301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Effective risk communication is an integral part of responding to terrorism, but until recently, there has been very little pre-event communication in a European context to provide advice to the public on how to protect themselves during an attack. Following terrorist attacks involving mass shootings in Paris, France, in November 2015, the U.K. National Police Chiefs' Council released a Stay Safe film and leaflet that advises the public to "run," "hide," and "tell" in the event of a firearms or weapons attack. However, other countries, including Denmark, do not provide preparedness information of this kind, in large part because of concern about scaring the public. In this survey experiment, 3,003 U.K. and Danish participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: no information, a leaflet intervention, and a film intervention to examine the impact of "Run, Hide, Tell" advice on perceptions about terrorism, the security services, and intended responses to a hypothetical terrorist firearms attack. Results demonstrate important benefits of pre-event communication in relation to enhancing trust, encouraging protective health behaviors, and discouraging potentially dangerous actions. However, these findings also suggest that future communications should address perceived response costs and target specific problem behaviors. Cross-national similarities in response suggest this advice is suitable for adaptation in other countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M Pearce
- Department of War Studies, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Lasse Lindekilde
- Department of Political Science, Aarhus University, Bartholins Alle, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - David Parker
- Department of Political Science, Aarhus University, Bartholins Alle, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - M Brooke Rogers
- Department of War Studies, King's College London, London, UK
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Carter H, Gauntlett L, Rubin GJ, Russell D, Genereux M, Lemyre L, Blain P, Byers M, Amlôt R. Psychosocial and behavioural aspects of early incident response: outcomes from an international workshop. GLOBAL SECURITY: HEALTH, SCIENCE AND POLICY 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/23779497.2018.1556112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Holly Carter
- Emergency Response Department Science & Technology, Public Health England, Salisbury, UK
| | - Louis Gauntlett
- Emergency Response Department Science & Technology, Public Health England, Salisbury, UK
| | - G. James Rubin
- King’s College London, Department of Psychological Medicine, Weston Education Centre, London, UK
| | - David Russell
- Centre for Radiation Chemicals & Environmental Hazards, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Melissa Genereux
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Louise Lemyre
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Peter Blain
- Medical Toxicology Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Mark Byers
- Medical Toxicology Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Richard Amlôt
- Emergency Response Department Science & Technology, Public Health England, Salisbury, UK
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Amlôt R, Carter H, Riddle L, Larner J, Chilcott RP. Volunteer trials of a novel improvised dry decontamination protocol for use during mass casualty incidents as part of the UK'S Initial Operational Response (IOR). PLoS One 2017. [PMID: 28622352 PMCID: PMC5473560 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated that rapid evacuation, disrobing and emergency decontamination can enhance the ability of emergency services and acute hospitals to effectively manage chemically-contaminated casualties. The purpose of this human volunteer study was to further optimise such an "Initial Operational Response" by (1) identifying an appropriate method for performing improvised skin decontamination and (2) providing guidance for use by first responders and casualties. The study was performed using two readily available, absorbent materials (paper towels and incontinence pads). The decontamination effectiveness of the test materials was measured by quantifying the amount of a chemical warfare agent simulant (methyl salicylate) removed from each volunteer's forearm skin. Results from the first study demonstrated that simulant recovery was lower in all of the dry decontamination conditions when compared to matched controls, suggesting that dry decontamination serves to reduce chemical exposure. Blotting in combination with rubbing was the most effective form of decontamination. There was no difference in effectiveness between the two absorbent materials. In the following study, volunteers performed improvised dry decontamination, either with or without draft guidelines. Volunteers who received the guidance were able to carry out improvised dry decontamination more effectively, using more of the absorbent product (blue roll) to ensure that all areas of the body were decontaminated and avoiding cross-contamination of other body areas by working systematically from the head downwards. Collectively, these two studies suggest that absorbent products that are available on ambulances and in acute healthcare settings may have generic applicability for improvised dry decontamination. Wherever possible, emergency responders and healthcare workers should guide casualties through decontamination steps; in the absence of explicit guidance and instructions, improvised dry decontamination may not be performed correctly or safely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Amlôt
- Emergency Response Department Science & Technology, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Holly Carter
- Emergency Response Department Science & Technology, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
| | - Lorna Riddle
- Emergency Response Department Science & Technology, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
| | - Joanne Larner
- Research Centre for Topical Drug Delivery and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Robert P. Chilcott
- Research Centre for Topical Drug Delivery and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
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Savoia E, Stoto MA, Gupta R, Wright N, Viswanath K. Public response to the 2014 chemical spill in West Virginia: knowledge, opinions and behaviours. BMC Public Health 2015; 15:790. [PMID: 26282554 PMCID: PMC4539923 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-015-2134-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background On January 9th 2014, a faulty storage tank leaked 10,000 gal of an industrial coal processing liquid into the Elk River in West Virginia (WV), contaminating the drinking water of the nine counties collectively known as the Kanawha Valley. The aim of this study was to 1) explore how and when people obtained information about the water contamination and 2) understand how individual and social factors such as socio-demographic characteristics, timing of information, trust in government, and risk perception influenced compliance with recommended behaviours and the public’s views on the need for environmental regulations. Methods Between February 7–26, 2014, a survey was conducted of adult residents of West Virginia including geographic areas affected and non-affected by the chemical spill. The total population-based sample size was 690 and the survey was administered online. Descriptive statistics and multivariate statistical models were created to determine what factors influenced compliance and public opinions. Results Findings from this study show that, during the 2014 West Virginia water crisis, information about water contamination spread quickly, as 73 % of survey respondents across the state and 89 % within the affected counties reported they heard about the incident the same day it occurred. Most people received the information promptly, understood what happened, and understood what to do to prevent exposure to the contaminant. The majority of respondents living in affected counties (70 %) followed the recommended behaviours. Among participants who voiced an opinion on the role of government in environmental regulations, the majority of respondents (54 %) reported there is “too little regulation.” Conclusion Data from this study show that a higher perception of risk and timely receipt of information are associated with compliance with recommended behaviours, underlying the importance of releasing information to the public as quickly as possible during a crisis. This study also highlights the importance of coordinating risk communication activities beyond the area of the incident to assure public understanding of what measures are recommended, which are not and where.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Savoia
- Department of Biostatistics and Division of Policy Translation and Leadership Development, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, Boston, 02115, MA, USA.
| | - Michael A Stoto
- Department of Health Systems Administration and Population Health, Georgetown University, 3700 Reservoir Road, NW Room 236, Washington, DC, 20057-1107, USA.
| | - Rahul Gupta
- West Virginia Bureau for Public Health, 350 Capitol Street, Charleston, WV, 25301, USA.
| | - Nasandra Wright
- Kanawha-Charleston Health Department, 108 Lee Street East, Charleston, WV, 25301, USA.
| | - Kasisomayajula Viswanath
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, 02115, MA, USA.
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Duarte-Davidson R, Orford R, Wyke S, Griffiths M, Amlôt R, Chilcott R. Recent advances to address European Union Health Security from cross border chemical health threats. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2014; 72:3-14. [PMID: 24679379 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2014.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2013] [Accepted: 01/03/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The European Union (EU) Decision (1082/2013/EU) on serious cross border threats to health was adopted by the European Parliament in November 2013, in recognition of the need to strengthen the capacity of Member States to coordinate the public health response to cross border threats, whether from biological, chemical, environmental events or events which have an unknown origin. Although mechanisms have been in place for years for reporting cross border health threats from communicable diseases, this has not been the case for incidents involving chemicals and/or environmental events. A variety of collaborative EU projects have been funded over the past 10 years through the Health Programme to address gaps in knowledge on health security and to improve resilience and response to major incidents involving chemicals. This paper looks at the EU Health Programme that underpins recent research activities to address gaps in resilience, planning, responding to and recovering from a cross border chemical incident. It also looks at how the outputs from the research programme will contribute to improving public health management of transnational incidents that have the potential to overwhelm national capabilities, putting this into context with the new requirements as the Decision on serious cross border threats to health as well as highlighting areas for future development.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Duarte-Davidson
- Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, UK.
| | - R Orford
- Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, UK
| | - S Wyke
- Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, UK
| | - M Griffiths
- Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, UK
| | - R Amlôt
- Microbial Risk Assessment & Behavioural Science, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, UK
| | - R Chilcott
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
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Carter H, Drury J, Amlôt R, Rubin GJ, Williams R. Effective responder communication, perceived responder legitimacy, and group identification predict public cooperation and compliance in a mass decontamination visualization experiment. JOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/jasp.12286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Holly Carter
- Emergency Response Department; Public Health England
| | - John Drury
- School of Psychology; University of Sussex
| | - Richard Amlôt
- Emergency Response Department; Public Health England
| | - G. James Rubin
- Department of Psychological Medicine; King's College London
| | - Richard Williams
- Welsh Institute for Health and Social Care; University of South Wales
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