Influences of Subjective Perception on Critical Incidents upon Mental and Physical Health

This study aims to identify those experiences that employees of the Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (IES) – rescuers - define as critical incidents. In addition we intend to understand which of these critical incidents are considered most relevant and also if there are significant differences among distinct departments within the IES. The study shows that those incidents that refer to the individual's own life and safety as well as those interventions that regard one's relatives and acquaintances is most relevant. Also, we identified a strong correlation between age and relevant critical incidents as well as significant differences in the way employees rank the critical incidents in strict relation with the type of interventions they take part in.