Rescue workers, or rescuers, refer to individuals who assist people in emergency circumstances

such as disaster. We use the term rescue workers to refer to professionals such as firefighters,
police officers, military personnel/soldiers, healthcare rescuers, and nonprofessional volunteers
who free people from danger in various disasters, provide acute medical care, and transport them
to facilities where they can receive better care. Because of the work nature, rescue workers
invariably encounter seriously injured or dead bodies, witness the emotional reactions of
devastated survivors (distress, grief, and anger), experience disappointment when they are
unsuccessful in saving a life and expose themselves to potential physical harm. All these
stressors could increase the likelihood of adverse psychological consequences among rescuers
compared to the general population who are not exposed to a disaster.
The target participants of the mental health program are firefighter rescuers during disasters.
These individuals are the ones that assist people in emergencies. During disasters, they help free
victims from danger, offer immediate medical assistance, and help transport individuals to
hospitals to receive the necessary care. Due to the nature of their profession, firefighter personnel
frequently come into contact with injured individuals or corpses, see the emotional responses of
bereaved victims, feel disappointed when they cannot save a life, and put themselves in danger.
All the stressors experienced by firefighters may raise the chance of adverse psychological
effects on them. The likelihood of psychological issues for the rescue personnel following a
catastrophe deployment is very significant. Acute stress disorder, anxiety and depression, and
post-traumatic stress disorder are among the psychological illnesses that may affect firefighters
(Mao et al., 2018). That being the case, the mental health program would like to focus on
firefighters to educate and provide them with coaching on the proper management of stressful
situations and negative emotions. Hence, it could help enhance resilience and improve their
quality of life.

Mao, X., Fung, O. W., Hu, X., & Loke, A. Y. (2018). Psychological impacts of disaster on
rescue workers: A review of the literature. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 27,
602-617. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2017.10.020