Balancing safety and information: understanding the barriers and approaches for emergency responders when communicating with the public

This study explores the experiences and perceptions of emergency responders regarding their communication with the public during emergencies. Focusing on routine emergencies such as fires and medical incidents, we conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with three firefighters and three ambulance paramedics. Using thematic analysis, we identified two themes regarding the communication approaches of emergency responders: (1) a perceived need to provide an appropriate level of information to maintain public manageability, yet (2) a belief in a need to limit information sharing to ensure public safety. These approaches reflected perceptions by emergency responders regarding aims and barriers to emergency communication with the public. The themes identified show that emergency responders believe maintaining a balance of giving sufficient information is crucial for maintaining public manageability and for managing emergencies effectively. However, previous research suggests that hesitancy to share information due to concerns about public behaviour can potentially lead to negative interactions with the public. We propose practical solutions for emergency responders to provide a reasonable amount of meaningful information during emergencies to facilitate positive relations with the public and enhance safe emergency response.