What motivates and demotivates emergency response volunteers? A survey-based factor analysis study

Abstract

Background Organized volunteer initiatives can reduce response times and improve outcomes in emergencies such as cardiac arrests or fires. Retention of volunteers is important to maintain good coverage and capabilities. The current study explores factors underlying volunteers’ motivation to continue as volunteers. Methods Data from 5347 active volunteers were collected through an online survey. An exploratory factor analysis was used to identify underlying factors that were then used in a regression analysis to predict intention to continue as a volunteer. Group differences based on, among others, number of alarms and prior professional experience in emergency response were explored. Results The results showed that the factors community, self-image, and competence were the strongest positive predictors for the motivation to continue, whereas alarm fatigue and negative experience were the strongest negative predictors. Volunteers with professional background had higher competence and lower Alarm fatigue. Volunteers from rural areas and small cities had higher community than those in large cities. Conclusions Alarm fatigue can make it hard to retain volunteers, which could be addressed using improved dispatch algorithms. Support after dispatch is important to prevent negative experiences. Finally, increased competence, e.g. through education and training, can improve volunteer’s motivation to continue.

Voluntary first responders’ experiences of being dispatched to suspected out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in rural areas: an interview study

“…This could be a reason to leave the VFR assignment, and participating in a follow-up-programme could help prevent this. On the other hand, volunteers from rural areas or small cities described a high emphasis on community, helping others, and helping their community [ 36 ], which is in line with what the VFRs in this study expressed. Further research is needed to determine whether support interventions, especially in rural areas, could help VFRs deal with emotionally and ethically challenging situations at the scene.…”

“…Therefore, offering the possibility to gain access to VFR follow-up programmes is important; similar to Rolin Kragh et al’s [ 35 ] description of VFR who wish to participate in defusing/debriefing meetings and in that way process their experience and, contribute to sustainability increasing retention. In a study [ 36 ] about motivational and demotivational factors to act as a volunteer in emergencies, volunteers without professional experience described feeling more burdened after alerts and alarm fatigue. This could be a reason to leave the VFR assignment, and participating in a follow-up-programme could help prevent this.…”