ABSTRACT
Trauma and tragedies are inherent in emergency work, but usually Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)2 do not experience situations involving trauma patients as emotionally disturbing. EMTs learn to consider them part of the job as they become technically and emotionally trained to tackle traumatic situations. Additionally, and contrary to lay people, EMTs have immediate professional tasks to do at emergency sites (Mannon, 1992: 180-192; Palmer, 1983). The instrumental engulfment in emergency situations creates an emotional shield; they usually neither have time nor energy to focus on the human tragedy surrounding them (Mannon, 1981). Moreover, informal evaluations and
‘sensemaking’ between colleagues take place all the time (Weick, 1995). These informal discussions serve as proactive ‘emotional repair work’ by processing and debriefing potentially nagging feelings of responsibility, helplessness, guilt, etc., which are always latent for human service workers with responsibility for other people’s lives and health. It is exactly such important but informal mundane ‘emotional repair work’ that helps EMTs to deal with life-and-death situations on a daily basis without burning out emotionally and becoming ‘second victims’ (Dekker, 2013). From time to time, however, episodes do take an emotional toll on EMTs (Metz, 1981: 105ff ).3
