Journal of Rescue and Relief (امداد و نجات)

INTRODUCTION: Perceived organizational support facilitates employees' tendency to identify the humanitarian characteristics of an organization. Social capital encompasses concepts such as trust, cooperation, and collaboration among members of a group or society, forming a purposeful system that guides them toward achieving goals. Also, emotional intelligence represents an evolved form of attention to human resources in organizations and serves as a modern and appropriate tool for managers to control crises and guide individuals toward organizational objectives. METHODS: This study is of a survey-cross-sectional type in terms of its applied purpose. The statistical population includes all senior staff and experts of the Red Crescent Society of Yazd province, 220 people were selected as a sample using Morgan's table. FINDINGS: This study utilized causal relationships based on structural equations. The PLS model was tested based on two models, initially evaluating external models. The validity and reliability estimates of external models were assessed according to the criteria proposed in the reflective and mixed external models, then the internal model was evaluated. The external model, equivalent to the measurement model in covariance-based structural equation models, determined the relationship between latent variables and observed indicators. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the coefficient of influence of perceived organizational support on emotional intelligence is significant and 0.8% of the variance of perceived organizational support is shared with emotional intelligence based on the Coefficient of Determination (R2).

INTRODUCTION: Deaths from drowning at sea and recreational diving annually cause irreparable damage with the start of summer trips to the coasts of Gilan. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the coastal care education-based program. METHODS: In this descriptive-analytical study, data were collected with a 45-item researcher-made questionnaire on a 5-point Likert scale. The reliability and the validity of the questionnaire was confirmed with a Cronbach's alpha (0.7) and by 12 specialists. The statistical population (N=450) includes supervisory agents, rescuers, lifeguards, coastal guards, field training instructors, relief workers, and young members of the Red Crescent Society of Gilan province. Finally, 207 people selected and studied using Morgan table. Data analyzed using SPSS-27 software. FINDINGS: According to the findings, the age group of 30 to 44 years has the highest frequency with 89 people (43.0%), a total of 123 respondents (59.4%) were male and associate and bachelor's degrees each have the highest frequency with 59 people (28.5%). The 45-items questionnaire were categorized into six sections including demographics (5 items), self-help skills (8 items), knowledge of coastal information (8 items), knowledge of coastal hazards (8 items), skills in using buoyancy equipment (8 items), and coastal experiences (8 items). About 12 questions with the highest mean responses were identified as effective factors of the education-based program. The correlation between the selection of safe places for swimming by tourists was estimated to be significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed that the successful implementation of the sea sanitation plan with the approach of preventing drowning incidents and selecting safe swimming locations depends on the development of a coastal care education program, including face-to-face education, and then on ensuring the health of the coastal strip.

INTRODUCTION: Today, natural crises have become an inseparable reality of human life, and one of the key measures to prevent the destructive consequences of natural disasters in any region is the identification and zoning of natural hazards. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to identify the factors affecting the occurrence and zoning of natural hazards within Mehdishahr county, Semnan province. METHODS: This research was conducted using a mixed method (quantitative and qualitative) and the status of risk and crisis management in Mehdishahr was examined. Data were collected from existing documents, interviews with key stakeholders (local officials, experts, and representatives of local communities), and analysis of statistical data related to past incidents. Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method, the factors under study were compared in pairs and the weight of each was calculated. FINDINGS: According to the findings, floods have the greatest impact on the riverbed and distance from it, the river parameter with 0.335 plays more than one-third of the flood risk, and land use with 0.096 has the lowest sensitivity. Also, faults with 0.370 are considered the most important and land type with 0.087 is the least important factor in causing earthquakes. Based on the results obtained from the AHP model, human factors, especially roads and paths, have the greatest impact on the occurrence of landslides, and along rivers they account for one-third of the factors affecting the occurrence of landslides. CONCLUSION: Considering the factors affecting the occurrence of natural disasters in Mehdishahr county, some preventive measures are necessary to preserve natural resources and the environment, ensure sustainable economic and social development, and reduce vulnerability, including: changing land use and respecting the privacy of rivers, preventing construction on the banks of rivers, stabilizing and stabilizing slopes, observing building regulations, and strengthening local capacities through education, empowerment, and promoting public and specialized awareness.

INTRODUCTION: The modular curriculum system is a powerful tool for empowerment in the labor market, due to the strengthening of certain specific skills for employed individuals or individuals who intend to work in jobs with special skills. this study was conducted to investigate the effect of single-module educational system on the knowledge and skills of first aid in the IRCS rapid response teams in northwestern provinces, Iran. METHODS: In this descriptive-analytical study, data collection was done through pre and post-test scores as a measure of first aid knowledge in the study group. All aid workers of rapid response teams in the mentioned provinces (63 people) were examined and selected. The knowledge and skills of the participants before and after training were assessed using questions designed by expert trainers. FINDINGS: The findings showed that the total information of the selected aid workers from four northwestern provinces of the country including Ardabil (16 people), West Azerbaijan (17 people), East Azerbaijan (15 people) and Zanjan (15 people) was analyzed after the first aid modular curriculum training. The participants were all male with a mean age of 31.6±5.3 years. The mean theoretical scores of aid workers in all provinces increased significantly after the training (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: According to the results, the comparison of theoretical scores before training among the four provinces indicates a significant difference between the average knowledge of aid workers before training; so that East Azerbaijan and West Azerbaijan provinces have the lowest and highest average theoretical scores, respectively, which is a significant difference. The difference in the average skill scores in the four provinces after training is significant, so that Ardabil and East Azerbaijan provinces have the highest and lowest average skill scores, respectively.

INTRODUCTION: Iran, a country characterized by diverse geographical and climatic conditions, is constantly exposed to various natural and manmade disasters. Also, Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), as one of the most critical relief organizations, plays a pivotal role in rescue and relief operations. Accordingly, this study attempted to identify the challenges associated with the implementation of disaster management policies in the rescue and relief operations of the IRCS. METHODS: In this mixed method research, qualitative data were collected through field research, with 12 experts and managers from IRCS, selected through non-random purposive sampling using semi-structured interviews following the theoretical saturation and was analyzed with MAXQDA-2022 software; in the quantitative phase, a total of 365 managers and experts were selected across the country using a multi-stage cluster sampling. Then, a 36-item researcher-made questionnaire was developed using a five-point Likert scale and descriptive and inferential statistical methods were employed using SmartPLS software. FINDINGS: The findings indicate that the implementation of disaster management policies in the rescue and relief operations of the IRCS faces numerous challenges. The qualitative analysis identified 8 global themes, 19 organizing themes, and 36 basic themes. In the quantitative phase, the following dimensions were found to have significant positive effects on the implementation of disaster management policies: resources and equipment (0.561), policy (0.868), empowerment and skills (0.921), decision-making (0.859), organizational structure (0.912), information and communication (0.637), public participation (0.610) and economic, political, and social conditions (0.573). among these, human resource empowerment (0.921) and organizational structure (β = 0.912) exerted the greatest influence on the efficiency of relief operations. CONCLUSION: According to the results, lack of adequate resources and organizational structure, shortage of up-to-date equipment, deficiencies in workforce skills, and poor inter-organizational coordination are key challenges in implementing disaster management policies in rescue and relief operations. Furthermore, enhancing human resource management, improving training and empowerment programs for relief teams, devising transparent and actionable policies, and increasing public and NGO participation can significantly enhance the effectiveness of relief operations. The proper implementation of policies in rescue and relief operations can substantially improve the efficiency of the IRCS in the face of disasters and in addition to reducing human casualties and resource wastage, can also direct society towards sustainable development.

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluates the effectiveness of the public education courses (first aid and emergency preparedness) of Red Crescent Society (RCS) on attitude, knowledge, and performance of conscripted personnel of the Iranian armed forces towards first aid and facing of hazards and disasters. METHODS: In this descriptive and quasi-experimental study, a total of 680 armed forces conscripts across the country were evaluated using a multi-stage cluster sampling method. Based on Cochran's formula, 340 individuals were assigned to the experimental group (trained by RCS trainers) and 340 to the control group (not trained). A researcher-made questionnaire contains two sections and main components (attitude, knowledge, and performance), was developed using the Kirkpatrick evaluation model. Its content validity (CVR=0.86) and reliability (Cronbach’s alpha=0.89) were confirmed. Data analyzed using SPSS-22 included Kolmogorov-Smirnov, independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U, and chi-square tests. FINDINGS: According to the results, the RCS public education courses had a statistically significant positive effect on participants’ attitude (mean score 4.1, p<0.05), knowledge (4.0, p<0.05), and performance (3.6, p<0.05); also, total score (3.8, p<0.05) in the experimental group are lower compared to the control group (attitude 2.8, knowledge 3.7, performance 3.3, total score 3.2). CONCLUSION: The RCS public education training courses significantly improved the attitude, knowledge, and performance of conscripted armed forces personnel which these results support the continuation and potential expansion of such training initiatives to enhance military preparedness and response capability.

INTRODUCTION: Sponge city, a fundamental strategy for solving water and environmental challenges, has attracted the attention of researchers around the world in recent years. Hence, the aim of this research is to examine the sponge city as a paradigm in urban flood crisis management. METHODS: In this applied study, the research method is both descriptive and analytical. Data were collected from review articles, book chapters, grey literature, online pages, and newspaper articles. For qualitative content analysis, an inductive method was used, which combines data collection, extraction, and analysis, and gradually generates a discussion. FINDINGS: According to the findings, the sponge city model involves comprehensive improvement of urban water resources and the aquatic environment in urban areas and a way to respond to water challenges and environmental degradation, promising to resolve environmental problems, increase welfare, growth and development, and achieve sustainability in societies. It emphasizes the integration of environmental considerations into all physical structures in urban spaces with the aim of harmonizing city development with the natural environment and advancing the principle of sustainability through the alignment of human and ecological processes in urban environments. CONCLUSION: The results show that the sponge city and its principles can contribute to sustainable development in environmental, social and economic dimensions. A sponge city construction can improve the ability of cities to adapt to environmental changes and cope with floods, encouraging the development of cities towards a healthier and more sustainable direction.