Engaged, overextended, or burned out: What is the state of the disaster response workforce?

The prolonged coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and co-occurring disasters during 2020 took a toll on everyone, taxing public health disaster management personnel particularly. This initial study evaluated levels of exhaustion, cynicism, professional efficacy among broad array the workforce responding to these events through an online survey. Responses were compared normative standards from international dataset using one-sample t-test described k-means cluster analysis. Results 111 emergency services, health, healthcare, first responders, other professionals volunteers indicated high emotional exhaustion along with personal samples. Perceptions heightened risk contracting COVID-19 significantly associated increased cynicism. Cluster analysis results three different patterns burnout: half respondents overextended (high efficacy) or burned out low efficacy), while 50 percent engaged (low efficacy). suggests that despite pandemic, substantial proportion response is still thriving. However, large at (overextended). Limitations this include lack diversity in sample, which, although similar demographic characteristics manager population, may limit generalizability results. System-level planners can use information develop comprehensive approaches, policies, procedures prevent burnout for essential working behind scenes.