First responders are facing increasing challenges while needing better tools to improve response efforts, according to the 2022 Public Safety Trends Survey released Tuesday by Framingham mobile alert tech company Rave Mobile Safety.
The survey focused on emergency responders such as firefighters, EMTs, police officers, emergency managers, security professionals, and 9-1-1 dispatchers.
The study noted that budget and staffing difficulties are further complicating the emergency response field.
According to the survey, the top three challenges causing significant or major impact to those in public safety over the past 18 months are: COVID-19 (83%), hiring and staffing (72%), and public perceptions of first responders/law enforcement (61%).
In addition to highlighting the difficulties faced by emergency medical workers and businesses, the respondents suggested resources to improve public safety operations in the coming year such as, additional staff (71%), budget increases (63%), better information sharing between different agencies/departments (46%), and collaboration with mental health professionals (41%).
“As they navigate an increasing number of challenges, so many of which are outside of their control, it’s critical public safety leaders have the tools and technology at their disposal to improve information sharing and collaboration,” said Rave Mobile CEO Todd Piett, in the survey release.
The survey was conducted by the independent research firm Researchscape, which surveyed 273 first responders or emergency professionals between December and January.
