Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2025 Feb 14;25(1):24.
doi: 10.1186/s12873-025-01180-5.

Preparedness dimensions and components of emergency medical services in chemical hazards: a systematic review

Abed Khanizade  1 , Shandiz Moslehi  2   3 , Mohsen Dowlati  1   4 , Parisa Moradimajd  5 , Mohammad Javad Moradian  6
Affiliations

Preparedness dimensions and components of emergency medical services in chemical hazards: a systematic review

Abed Khanizade et al. BMC Emerg Med. .

Abstract

Background: EMS providers are often the only emergency workers with medical knowledge at the scene of chemical hazards and are exposed to severe risks. They should always be prepared to face chemical hazards to be able to provide an effective response to them. Therefore, this study identified the dimensions and components of emergency medical services system preparedness in chemical hazards.

Methods: We searched the relevant electronic databases, including ProQuest, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. The search included articles in English published up to November 2, 2023. In addition, organizational websites, including WHO, CDC, OSHA, NIOSH, FEMA, IFRC, NFPA, OECD, and OPCW, were searched to find gray literature. Studies were selected using the PRISMA checklist, and thematic analysis was used to analyze the findings.

Results: Finally, of 8193 selected records, 16 papers were included in the final analysis. Using thematic analysis, two main themes, 15 categories, and 57 subcategories were revealed. The categories for management measures included Plans and guidelines, Communication and coordination, Risk management, Management of physical spaces and Sources of funding, and for technical measures were recognition of chemical release, incident scene management, personal protection, casualty management, ambulance equipment and drugs, decontamination, psychological support, supporting units, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) ambulances, and training.

Conclusions: Due to the importance and extent of the effects of chemical hazards, EMS systems need to develop their preparedness using more specific approaches to provide medical services in chemical hazards. EMS systems should provide medical equipment and antidotes, chemical ambulances, chemical protective equipment, and necessary physical spaces with appropriate financing. Also, preparedness and response plans should be prepared and practiced regularly based on previous lessons learned and with the cooperation and participation of other organizations involved in chemical disasters.

Keywords: Chemical disasters; Emergency medical services; Prehospital emergencies; Preparedness.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: This article has been approved by the Iran University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran (IR.IUMS.REC.1401.1003). Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
PRISMA2020 flow diagram
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. US Federal Emergency Management Agency. Hazardous Materials Incidents. 2019.
    1. Rebeeh YA, Pokharel S, Abdella GM, Hammuda AS. Disaster management in industrial areas: Perspectives, challenges and future research. J Ind Eng Manag. 2019;12(1):133–53.
    1. Uzma M-N, Advocate J, Khawja HM, Scholar C. Bhopal gas tragedy: A state/corporate crime and the role of civil society. J Integrated Res Law. 2021;1(2):258–71.
    1. Tahmid M, Dey S, Syeda SR. Mapping human vulnerability and risk due to chemical accidents. J Loss Prev Process Ind. 2020;68:104289.
    1. Organization WH. Chemical safety www.who.ir2019 [updated 23 June 2023. Available from: https://www.who.int/europe/news-room/fact-sheets/item/chemical--safety.

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

LinkOut - more resources