THE RELATIONSHIP OF SUBJECTIVE DISTRESS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE EXPERIENCE TO THE EFFECTIVE USE OF PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

A total of 111 chemical emergency response team members were evaluated on the effective use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and self- contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) while participating in a series o f simulated hazardous material accidents. Performance ratings of PPE a nd SCBA use were conducted via behaviourally anchored rating scales (B ARS), self-estimates of effectiveness, and cohort ratings. Subjective distress was assessed via the Subjective State Change Measure (SSCM), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Framingham Type A Behaviour Sca le. Results indicated that effective use of protective breathing appar atus was correlated with prior emergency response experience and state anxiety. BARS scores were negatively related to state anxiety when co ntrolling for experience. Self-ratings for effectiveness was positivel y related to both type A behaviour pattern and state anxiety.