Perievent distress during fires – The impact of perceived emergency knowledge

Emotional distress during fire situations and other emergencies has been found to be an important factor in predicting posttraumatic stress symptoms. Little research has been done concerning the predictors of peri-event emotional distress itself and its related factors. The present study investigated the predictive power of pre- and peri-event factors on peri-event emotional distress in a European convenience sample of 574 domestic fire survivors. In addition to peri-event emotional distress, the increase in distress due to the fire (i.e. fire-induced emotional distress) was investigated. It was found that fire-induced emotional distress could be predicted by the amount of prior perceived emergency knowledge, perceived time pressure, perceived threat, panic attack symptoms and education. Results of a path analysis revealed perceived emergency knowledge as the most important factor in reducing stress caused by the fire. Possible differences between perceived and actual emergency knowledge and their implications for training are discussed.

► Predictors of emotional distress during domestic fires are investigated.
► Participants came from seven different European countries.
► Emergency knowledge is one important factor that reduces distress during the event.
► Differences between perceived and actual knowledge are discussed.