Public defence in caring science: Emelie Lantz
Thesis title:
Sharing is Caring - Early response for community safety in rural areas with focus on exploring part-time firefighters' work situation and family support
Third-cycle subject area:
Caring science
Faculty:
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Date:
Thursday 7 November 2024 at 09:00
Place for thesis:
Södra-salen, building M, Växjö and via Zoom
External reviewer:
Professor Johan Berlin, University West
Examining committee:
Professor Tobias Granberg Andersson, Linköping University
Docent Hanna Tuvesson, Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University
Dr. Kerstin Eriksson, RISE
Chairperson:
Professor Ulrica Hörberg, Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University
Supervisor:
Docent Anders Svensson, Linnaeus University, Professor Carina Elmqvist, Linnaeus University/Region Kronoberg, Universitetslektor Bengt Nilsson, Linnaeus University and Senior professor Bengt Fridlund, Linnaeus University
Examiner:
Professor Ulrica Hörberg, Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University
Spikning:
Friday 18 October 2024 at 11:00 at University Library, Växjö
Registration:
If you wish to attend in person, please register by emailing emelie.lantz@lnu.se
Zoom link:
https://lnu-se.zoom.us/j/66423551083
Abstract
Purpose: The overall purpose of this thesis was to explore and describe early response for community safety with focus on part-time firefighters´ work situation and family support.
Methods: The thesis employed an inductive approach, with an exploratory and descriptive design, including both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Each study design was selected to align with its specific purpose. The five studies collectively contributed to fulfil the overall purpose of the thesis. Descriptive and comparative statistics were employed to describe response times in out-of-hospital-cardiac-arrests in relation to population density for volunteer first responders, Fire and Rescue Service and Emergency Medical Service (I). A literature review was conducted to understand the literature in the field regarding non-career firefighters with focus on recruitment, retention and resignation (II). The Delphi technique was applied to identify pivotal factors that influence the ability of main employers to have employees who are part-time firefighters in rural areas in Sweden (III). Interviews analysed using latent content analysis were employed to describe experiences of part-time firefighters in rural areas in Sweden. (IV). Interviews analysed with the Critical Incident Technique was conducted to describe experiences and actions of part-time firefighters´ family members in rural areas in Sweden (V).
Findings: The Fire and Rescue Service had an significant impact on reducing response times in non-urban settings compared to Emergency Medical Services (I). Culture, recognition and supportive leadership in the Fire and Rescue Service played a crucial role in job satisfaction and retention among non-career firefighters (II). Main employers to part-time firefighters wanted to contribute to preserve a Fire and Rescue Service in the community by encouraging staff to also work as part-time firefighters (III). Part-time firefighters shared a strong commitment and motivation but balanced the service with other responsibilities in life (IV). Family members of part-time firefighters faced challenges and dealt with uncertainties, but adapted their daily lives to fit with the part-time firefighters´ work situation (V). The findings revealed that various dimensions and interrelated subsystems have impact on part-time firefighters' work situation and support, enabling early responses for community safety. These interrelated subsystem, driven by individual efforts, contribute to the service with part-time firefighters serving on-call in rural areas, reflecting a shared commitment involving responsibility and contributions of time and resources.
Conclusion: The shared commitment among part-time firefighters, their main employers, and their family members underscores the their importance in supporting part-time firefighters' work situation to enhance early response and ensure community safety, hence sharing is caring.
Keywords: caring, caring science, collaboration, community safety, early response, part-time firefighters, responsibility, system theory