The Lived Experiences of First Responders During Emergency Events Involving Children: Child Reactions, First Responder Roles, and Additional Needs

The purpose of this study was to examine first responders’ lived experiences with children during emergency events and to assess their needs to best support the children and families affected. First responders play a critical role in psychosocial support and trauma mitigation for children during emergency events; however, more support is needed. This study completed 16 semi-structured open-ended interviews with eight first responders, using phenomenology methods. Interviews focused on first responders’ perceptions of children’s reactions to the event, their roles in supporting children’s psychosocial needs, and their perceived gaps in services to support children. Results indicated four phenomena related to experienced child reactions during emergency events 1) lack of reactions, 2) emotion-based reactions, 3) information seeking reactions, and 4) observant reactions. First responders identified their role in supporting children on the scene in using distraction, providing calming and reassurance, and education, yet they identified gaps in their education and training for working with children, as well as a need for direct trained and professional support for children and families. Psychosocial providers, such as Certified Child Life Specialists, are trained and qualified to support the gaps identified and should both collaborate with first responders to enhance support during emergency events and provide training to first responders in pediatric trauma-informed care practices.