Scientific Journal of Rescue Relief
Volume:14 Issue: 2, Summer 2022

Despite the prevalence of the term “household disaster preparedness”, there is no consensus over a single and clear definition in this regard. The present study aimed to identify the components and explain the concept of household disaster preparedness.

The present study was conducted based on a qualitative design. After reviewing the concept and components of household disaster preparedness in previous studies, the subjects were selected by purposive sampling from managers and experts active in the field of disaster risk reduction, as well as heads of families. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The collected data were then analyzed by the thematic analysis method and the main and sub-components of household disaster preparedness were identified.

The classification of the components of household disaster preparedness revealed that this concept encompasses cognitive, physical-operational, financial, social, and psychological dimensions. Household disaster preparedness was defined based on these dimensions.

Household disaster preparedness consists of different dimensions. To evaluate this preparedness, an appropriate instrument is needed to assess all its dimensions.

Crisis management maintains security, stability, and flexibility in society by integrating different social resources with appropriate decisions and strengthening the ability of the community to recover from the negative impacts. Therefore, the present study aimed to conduct a model analysis of effective factors in implementing crisis management policies.

The present study is a descriptive survey research with a mixed methods design. A total of 18 experts were non-randomly and purposefully selected for the qualitative section based on expertise and availability. In addition, 248 individuals were selected from managers and experts (658 people) of the National Disaster Management Organization of Iran and partner organizations for the quantitative section based on Krejcie and Morgan Table using Cochran's formula and simple random sampling. The research instrument was a researcher-made questionnaire including 33 factors affecting the implementation of crisis management policy, the content validity of which was confirmed by professors, and its reliability by Cronbach's alpha test (α = 0.89). Data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS software and the AHP method was used to prioritize the factors.

Findings indicated that 33 components in the form of structural, organizational, environmental, and management factors, as well as financial and human resources, uniform practices, communication, information, and inter-organizational coordination, regulations, and policy implementers successfully affect the implementation of crisis management policies. Structural, organizational, and environmental factors significantly affect the implementation of policies.

Defining the responsibilities of partner organizations as well as developing transparency and designing specific goals contribute to the successful implementation of crisis management policies.

This study was investigated to represent and measure the impact of social responsibility components on crisis prevention in a conceptual model. Therefore, according to the research model, this study proposed 17 hypotheses about the existence of social responsibility among the employees of organizations involved in helping the victims of natural and man-made disasters, which would lead to crisis prevention.

This applied research was performed based on the descriptive-survey research method with a correlational approach using field study to collect data. The statistical population of this study consisted of 250 managers and experts of the Crisis Management Organization and the general departments of crisis management of the provinces (subdivisions of the Provincial Governments). The samples were selected using the relative stratified random sampling method, and the final sample size was determined at 150 individuals using Cochran's formula. To collect information, a 17-item researcher-made questionnaire was employed consisting of three main components (i.e., macro environment, organizational factors, and individual factors) and items for each of these three components. The responses were rated on a 5-point Likert scale (from 1=very low to 5=very high). Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to check the normality of the distribution of variables. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 and the t-test and confirmatory factor analysis modeling was used in AMOS24 software

The results showed that the significance levels obtained for all factors, except technological and geographical factors, were less than 0.05; therefore, all these factors were different from the average of the community. On the other hand, since the mean differences were positive in all factors, all components of social responsibility, except technological and geographical factors, had an impact on crisis prevention.

It can be said that the special attention of managers, authorities, and employees to the vital issue of social responsibility, especially in their daily activities, not only would help improve intra-organizational communication and increase employee motivation but also would lead to preventing crises.

Iran, as one of the earthquake-prone countries in the world, due to its geographical scope and existing shortcomings, always faces serious challenges in providing medical services to the victims by medical universities. This study aimed to achieve a model of community-based readiness of Iranian universities of medical sciences to provide health services to earthquake victims.

The research method was qualitative and based on grounded theory. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed by the Strauss-Corbin method.Research, sampling was performed by theoretical sampling method using a targeted technique. Based on 11 interviews with crisis management experts, including university professors, senior managers of medical universities, crisis management consultants, and experts of non-governmental organizations.

The results of the interview during the open, pivotal and selective coding process led to the creation of a paradigm model for Iranian medical universities to provide health care services on earthquake crisis.

Human resource development is defined as the production of thoughts and ideas by the employees of the organization. In this regard, employees should be equipped with qualifications and skills that with compassion allocate their ability, energy, expertise, and thought to fulfill the missions of the organization and create new intellectual and quality values. This study aimed to identify the relationship of organizational participation with organizational maturity and the development of human resources in the Red Crescent Society of Kerman Province, Iran.

This descriptive-correlational study was conducted on all employees (n=297) of the Red Crescent Society of Kerman Province, 2020. The sample size was determined according to the Morgan table, and 169 individuals were selected using the stratified random sampling method. To collect the required data, three questionnaires were used, including the standard Organizational Participation Questionnaire (Fayol, 1985), Organizational Maturity Questionnaire (Aghamolai, 2013), and human resource productivity development (Harsi et al., 1980). Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 23).

According to the findings, there was a direct and significant relationship between organizational participation and its components and the development of human resource productivity. It was also revealed that participation in planning and participation in organizing were the best predictors of human resource productivity development. Furthermore, organizational participation and its components had a direct and significant relationship with the organizational maturity of the Red Crescent Society, and participation in planning was the best predictor of organizational maturity.

The results showed that there was a direct and significant relationship between the three variables of organizational participation, organizational maturity, and development of human resource productivity in the Red Crescent Society of Kerman Province.

In Iran, natural disasters are constantly increasing, but research has not yet clearly explained the strategy of optimizing human resources in such situations. Employment Techniques to increase the effectiveness of these processes lead to This is an increase in the quality of these services Reduce human error and increase the effectiveness of human resources One of the main elements of management systems is to increase the improvement of capable human resources. The main purpose of this study is to design a human resource optimization model to increase the sense of social and human responsibility in the Red Crescent population of Yazd province.

In terms of type of method, it is descriptive correlation. A questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data, which in this regard, the present study is in the field of field studies. This research is in the category of survey studies. The size of the statistical population was the managers and experts of the Yazd Red Crescent Society who used the Cochran's formula to estimate the sample size.

The findings showed that the first criterion in the human resource optimization model is the component of self-sacrifice. As a result, the high self-sacrificing spirit of the Red Crescent forces in Yazd province will reduce casualties. Also, after the criterion of self-sacrifice, the criteria of compassion, commitment to public values, professional promotion, attractiveness of services, external reward, internal reward and interaction of working life are in the next priority, respectively. Also, the results of the final priority of each of the sub-criteria of the model with ANP technique showed that the sub-criterion of using idle time for service is in the first priority. In other words, following the criteria of feeling sympathy with deprived people, being responsive by phone and online during unemployment, creating satisfaction with external rewards among those around them, believing in performing civic duties before their duties, participating in solving social problems, acceptance Following new responsibilities, doing challenging and self-sacrificing work, paying attention to the interests of future generations when formulating public policies, the need for ethical action for government employees is one of the next priorities of the human resource optimization model.

The results showed that the selection of criteria and sub-criteria in designing a human resource optimization model are as follows: The criterion of "self-sacrifice" with normalized weight is in the first priority. The criterion of "compassion" with normalized weight is in the second priority. The criterion of "commitment to public values" with normalized weight is in the third priority. The criterion of "professional promotion" with normalized weight is in the fourth priority. The criterion of "service attractiveness" with normalized weight is in the fifth priority. The criterion of "external reward" with normalized weight is in the sixth priority. The criterion of "internal reward" with normalized weight is in the seventh priority. The criterion of "working life interaction" with normalized weight is the last priority.

Various studies have demonstrated that rescuers enjoy higher levels of selfefficacy and quality of life, as compared to ordinary people. Moreover, the constant and sometimes prolonged presence of Red Crescent Society rescuers at the scene of disasters makes them more prone to the emotional impact of crises, in comparison with ordinary rescuers.

The present study was conducted based on a causal-comparative (ex-post facto) design. The statistical population included 200 cases, and the sample size was equal to 120 (60 rescuers and 60 non-rescuers who were selected via the random sampling method). Scherrer self-efficacy questionnaire (1983), quality of work life questionnaire (1973), and Coopersmith self-confidence questionnaire (1967) were used to collect data, and data analysis was performed by analysis of variance.

As evidenced by the obtained results, the highest and lowest percentages of rescuers were in the age group of 20-30 (51.92%) and under 20 years (5.77%), respectively. In terms of education, the highest and lowest percentages of rescuers had a bachelor’s degree (61.7%) and high school education (1.7%). Furthermore, the highest and lowest percentages of non-rescuers were permanent (63.73%) and contract employees (1.7%), respectively.

The results pointed out that rescuers enjoyed higher levels of self-confidence, quality of work life, and self-efficacy, as compared to non-rescuers.

Paying attention to different dimensions of resilience is one of the main goals of sustainable development, especially in cities and urban communities with potential risks, and institutional resilience as one of the dimensions of resilience is an important approach to strengthening communities and cities.

This applied research was conducted based on a descriptive-analytical design. The VIKOR method which is a fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making technique was used for analysis. Library and documentary methods were used to collect data and the data collection tool was a seven-7-item questionnaire.

Based on the findings, the organizational structure and the experience of previous incidents held the first and last places. preparedness policies, manager’s effectiveness in prevention, the effectiveness of training, incidence experiences in resource needs assessment, and the impact of financial resources ranked the first in the following sections: organizational structure, education, leadership, the experience of previous disasters, and capacity, respectively.

As evidenced by the results of this study, each of the indicators found in this study had an important role to play in the management of urban incidents in the country. Therefore, their management is of paramount importance in the achievement of sustainable urban development in the country.