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Willingness of International Delegations to be Deployed to Areas With High Risk of Radiation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2014

Gilead Shenhar ,
Irina Radomislensky ,
Michael Rosenfeld  and
Kobi Peleg
Gilead Shenhar*
Affiliation:
Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Center for Trauma & Emergency Medicine Research, Ramat Gan, Israel Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
Irina Radomislensky
Affiliation:
Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Center for Trauma & Emergency Medicine Research, Ramat Gan, Israel
Michael Rosenfeld
Affiliation:
Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Center for Trauma & Emergency Medicine Research, Ramat Gan, Israel
Kobi Peleg
Affiliation:
Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Center for Trauma & Emergency Medicine Research, Ramat Gan, Israel Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
*
Correspondence: Gilead Shenhar, EMBA Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research Center for Trauma & Emergency Medicine Research Tel Hasomer Sheba Medical Center Ramat Gan, 52621 Israel E-mail shenharg@bezeqint.net
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Abstract

Background

An earthquake of 9.0 magnitude, followed by a tsunami, hit Japan in 2011 causing widespread destruction. Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant had been damaged, causing a spread of radioactive materials.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess personal willingness to respond to a disaster as a part of an international delegation, to an area with unknown and unclear risk of radioactive materials. The Israeli delegation to the Japan 2011 earthquake had been chosen as a case study.

Method

The survey was conducted during the first two weeks after the tsunami in Japan. The population was selected randomly. After distributing the survey form, 94 anonymous answers were received, which give a 69% participation rate. The sample was divided into two groups (participated or didn't participate in an international delegation in the past).

Results

It was found that as the situation on the ground became worse, the willingness to be deployed dropped dramatically, although no significant difference was found in willingness between the two study groups. When both groups were combined into one group, significant differences were found in their willingness to be deployed in a delegation between the three levels (no radioactive leak, possible radioactive leak, and uncontrolled leak).

Conclusions

The willingness to serve on a delegation that responds to a scene with a potential radioactive leak will be dramatically influenced by the risk at the site.

ShenharG, RadomislenskyI, RosenfeldM, PelegK. Willingness of International Delegations to be Deployed to Areas With High Risk of Radiation. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2014;29(4):1-5.

Keywords

delegationFukushimaradioactiveriskwillingness
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 29 , Issue 4 , August 2014 , pp. 369 - 373
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2014 

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