Providing a Standard Operating Process for Health & Care Rapid Response Teams in Iran

BackgroundRegarding the frequency of disasters and effective response to the first hours after occurrence, it is necessity to form rapid response teams in order to reduce casualties and property losses. This paper aims to provide a standard operational process for health & care rapid response teams in Iran.MethodsIn this applicable research, which was done by descriptive-comparative method, various countries were compared based on different factors such as activation process, training, structure, equipment and their functions during crisis.FindingsAll studied countries activated their own rapid response teams based on a predetermined standard process in response phase. These teams are working under a unique command reference. They already are selected and have changeable structure based on disasters. Also they received standard trainings continuously and provided an appropriate response to disasters based on their job description and modern equipment.ConclusionAccording to the research, some measures should be taken in order to decrease mortality and timely response to disasters as follows: to organize health rapid response teams in different levels of country; to establish a incident command system for guiding teams; to use local facilities with necessary equipment, and to define a clear job description with appropriate training for the selected individuals of these teams.