The Role of the Saudi Red Crescent Authority in Mass-Casualty Incident Preparedness

Authors

  • Yaser Ahmed AlAbbad
  • Ashraf Radi Aljuma
  • Abdaljawad Abdulmajed Alnasser
  • Mohammed Ahmed Ali Alabdullah
  • Mohammed Essa Al Farhan
  • Anwar Haji Al Majhad
  • Nasser Jassim Alkhaldi
  • Faisal Abdullah Alsalem
  • Abdullah Nasser Alhassan
  • Mahdi Nasser Alsaygh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22399/ijcesen.4050

Keywords:

Saudi Red Crescent Authority, mass-casualty incidents, emergency medical services, disaster response

Abstract

The Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) plays a pivotal role in the preparedness and response to mass-casualty incidents in Saudi Arabia. As the primary humanitarian organization in the Kingdom, the SRCA is tasked with providing emergency medical services, disaster response, and health education. The authority collaborates closely with various stakeholders, including government agencies, local communities, and international organizations, to develop comprehensive emergency response plans. Through rigorous training programs, simulations, and community outreach initiatives, the SRCA enhances the capacity of medical personnel and volunteers, ensuring a swift and efficient response during crises. Their focus on preparedness is further exemplified through the establishment of communication networks and protocols that facilitate rapid coordination during emergencies. In addition to training and coordination, the SRCA actively engages in research and development to improve emergency response capabilities in handling mass-casualty incidents. By utilizing innovative technologies and best practices from around the world, the SRCA strives to enhance the resilience of its healthcare systems. The organization also emphasizes public awareness campaigns aimed at educating citizens on emergency preparedness and first aid, which is crucial for minimizing casualties in the event of a disaster. As mass-casualty incidents can occur due to natural disasters, accidents, or terrorist attacks, the SRCA's strategic approach to preparedness is essential in safeguarding public health and ensuring the well-being of the community.

References

[1] Al Dakheel Z. Saudi Arabia's success in transforming Umrah, Hajj ecosystem. The Jordan Times. 2023.

[2] Alhamaid YA, Aljawi H, Alsughayyir G, Alshammari MH, Albatshan RS, Alabbad FE, et al. The knowledge, attitudes, and practices of emergency department staff to preparedness of disaster and emergency in Saudi Arabia: Multicenter cross-sectional study. Indian J Crit Care Med. 2024;28(11):1023–1027.

[3] Abdelmoety DA, El-Bakri NK, Almowalld WO, Turkistani ZA, Bugis BH, Baseif EA, et al. Characteristics of heat illness during hajj: A cross-sectional study. BioMed Res Int. 2018;2018:5629474.

[4] Wathinani MA, Barten DG, Gołda P, AlDulijan NA, Alhallaf MA, Samarkandi LO, et al. Driving sustainable disaster risk reduction: A rapid review of the policies and strategies in Saudi Arabia. Sustainability. 2022;15(14):10976.

[5] Mani ZA, Sultan MAS, Plummer V, Goniewicz K. Navigating interoperability in disaster management: Insights of current trends and challenges in Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science. 2023;14:873–885.

[6] Khirekar J, Badge A, Bandre GR, Shahu S. Disaster preparedness in hospitals. Cureus. 2023;15(12):e50073.

[7] Abro MMQ, Khurshid MA, Aamir A. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices:the case of Saudi Aramco. Journal of Competitiveness Studies. 2016;24:79–90.

[8] New York City Department of City Planning. ACS demographic and housing estimates New York City and Boroughs. 2011 American community survey population Division; NYC Department of City Planning. 2011.

[9] Dia G BA, Dennis B, Mark B, William C, Richard C, Kelly H EMS incident response and readiness assessment (EIRRA):a self-assessment tool to measure the level of EMS preparedness for responding to a highway mass casualty incident or other large scale emergency. National Association of State EMS Officials. 2011.

[10] Myers JB, Slovis CM, Eckstein M, Goodloe JM, Isaacs SM, Loflin JR, et al. Evidence-based performance measures for emergency medical services systems:a model for expanded EMS benchmarking. Prehosp Emerg Care. 2008;12:141–151.

[11] Alsadhan B, editor. Emergency early responders and EMS transition in Saudi Arabia:proposed model for system improvement. University of Pittsburgh (PA): University of Pittsburghy; 2015.

[12] National Centre for Security Operation. Unified Security Operations Centers (911). 2018.

[13] AlShammari T, Jennings P, Williams B. Evolution of emergency medical services in Saudi Arabia. JEMTAC. 2017;2017:4.

[14] Alanazi AF. Curriculum design of emergency medical services program at the College of applied Medical Sciences, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences. Adv Med Educ Pract. 2012;3:7–18.

[15] World Health Organization. Summary report on the meeting of heads of medical missions on public health preparedness for Hajj, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 16-17 September 2014. Saudi Arabia: World Health Organization. Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean; 2015.

[16] Saudi Red Crescent Authority. Annual Report Summary 2015. 2015.

[17] General Authority for Statistics. Saudi total population in 2016. 2016.

[18] Harewood S. Emergency ambulance deployment in Barbados:a multi-objective approach. J Oper Res Soc. 2002;53:185–192.

[19] Ezreqat S, Khan A. Evaluation of a Saudi major airport's medical preparedness for mass casualty incident:a mixed-methodology study. MOJ Public Health. 2017;6:346–352.

[20] Bin Shalhoub AA, Khan AA, Alaska YA. Evaluation of disaster preparedness for mass casualty incidents in private hospitals in Central Saudi Arabia. Saudi Med J. 2017;38:302–306.

[21] Graham J, Liggin R, Shirm S, Nation B, Dick R. Planning for a mass casualty incident in Arkansas schools. J Sch Health. 2005;75:327–328.

[22] Annual Report to Congress 2009. National Transportation Safety Board. 2009.

[23] Preparedness and response to a rural mass casualty incident:workshop summary. The national academies collection:Reports funded by National Institutes of Health. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2011.

[24] Fahlgren TL, Drenkard KN. Healthcare system disaster preparedness, part 2:nursing executive role in leadership. J Nurs Adm. 2002;32:531–537.

[25] McHugh M, Staiti AB, Felland LE. How prepared are Americans for public health emergencies?Twelve communities weigh in. Health Aff (Millwood) 2004;23:201–209.

[26] Koh HK, Elqura LJ, Judge CM, Jacob JP, Williams AE, Crowther MS, et al. Implementing the cities readiness initiative:lessons learned from Boston. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2008;2:40–49.

[27] Cone D, Brice JH, Delbridge TR, Myers JB. Emergency medical services:clinical practice and systems oversight, 2 volume Set. Irving (TX): John Wiley & Sons; 2014.

[28] Doyle CJ. Mass casualty incident. Integration with prehospital care. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 1990;8:163–175.

[29] Hsu EB, Jenckes MW, Catlett CL, Robinson KA, Feuerstein C, Cosgrove SE, et al. Effectiveness of hospital staff mass-casualty incident training methods:a systematic literature review. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2004;19:191–199.

[30] Sundnes KO, Birnbaum ML. Health disaster management:guidelines for evaluation and research in the utstein style. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2003;17:1–177.

[31] Tambo E, Fouad AM, Khater EI. Strengthening community emergency preparedness and response in threats and epidemics disasters prevention and management in Saudi Arabia. IJEM. 2017;13:288–303.

[32] Ashida S, Robinson EL, Gay J, Slagel LE, Ramirez MR. Personal disaster and emergency support networks of older adults in a rural community:changes after participation in a preparedness program. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2017;11:110–119.

[33] Chartoff SE, Roman P. Disaster Planning. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019.

[34] Holroyd B, Shalit M, Kallsen G, Culhane D, Knopp R. Prehospital patients refusing care. Ann Emerg Med. 1988;17(9):957–963. doi: 10.1016/s0196-0644(88)80679-6.

[35] Bahrami MA, Maleki A, Ranjbar Ezzatabadi M, Askari R, Ahmadi Tehrani GH. Pre-Hospital Emergency Medical Services in Developing Countries: A Case Study about EMS Response Time in Yazd, Iran. Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2011;13(10):735–738.

[36] Alghnam S, Alkelya M, Alfraidy M, Al-Bedah K, Albabtain IT, Alshenqeety O. Outcomes of road traffic injuries before and after the implementation of a camera ticketing system: A retrospective study from a large trauma center in Saudi Arabia. Ann Saudi Med. 2017;37(1):1–9. doi: 10.5144/0256-4947.2017.1.

[37] Gonzalez RP, Cummings GR, Mulekar MS, Harlan SM, Rodning CB. Improving rural emergency medical service response time with global positioning system navigation. J Trauma. 2009;67(5):899–902. doi: 10.1097/TA.0b013e3181bc781d.

[38] Zhang JJ, Wang LD, Li H, Zhao YC. Response time of the Beijing 120 emergency medical service. Emerg Med J. 2010;27(10):784–785. doi: 10.1136/emj.2009.086561.

[39] Trunkey DD. Trauma. Accidental and intentional injuries account for more years of life lost in the U.S. than cancer and heart disease. Among the prescribed remedies are improved preventive efforts, speedier surgery and further research. Sci Am. 1983;249:28–35.

[40] Johnson NJ, Carr BG, Salhi R, Holena DN, Wolff C, Band RA. Characteristics and outcomes of injured patients presenting by private vehicle in a state trauma system. Am J Emerg Med. 2013;31(2):275–281. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2012.07.023.

[41] Ota FS, Muramatsu RS, Yoshida BH, Yamamoto LG. GPS computer navigators to shorten EMS response and transport times. Am J Emerg Med. 2001;19(3):204–205. doi: 10.1053/ajem.2001.22662.

[42] Hipskind JE, Gren J, Barr D. Patients Who Refuse Transportation by Ambulance: A Case Series. Prehosp Disaster Med. 1997;12(4):45–50.

[43] Sucov A, Verdile VP, Garettson D, Paris PM. The Outcome of Patients Refusing Prehospital Transportation. 1992;7(4):365–371.

[44] Alrazeeni DM, Sheikh SA, Mobrad A, Al Ghamdi M, Abdulqader N, Al Gabgab M, et al. Epidemiology of non-transported emergency medical services calls in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Med J. 2016;37(5):575–578. doi: 10.15537/smj.2016.5.13872.

[45] Alkhamis A, Hassan A, Cosgrove P. Financing healthcare in Gulf Cooperation Council countries: A focus on Saudi Arabia. Int J Health Plann Manage. 2014;29(1):64–82. doi: 10.1002/hpm.2213.

[46] Hamam AF, Bagis MH, AlJohani K, Tashkandi AH. Public awareness of the EMS system in Western Saudi Arabia: identifying the weakest link. Int J Emerg Med. 2015;8(1):35. doi: 10.1186/s12245-015-0070-7.

[47] Alkhamis A, Hassan A, Cosgrove P. Financing healthcare in Gulf Cooperation Council countries: A focus on Saudi Arabia. Int J Health Plann Manage. 2014;29(1):64–82. doi: 10.1002/hpm.2213.

[48] Mowafi H, Oranmore-Brown R, Hopkins KL, White EE, Mulla YF, Seidenberg P. Analysis of Prehospital Transport Use for Trauma Patients in Lusaka, Zambia. World J Surg. 2016;40(12):2868–2874. doi: 10.1007/s00268-016-3629-4.

Downloads

Published

2025-01-31

How to Cite

Yaser Ahmed AlAbbad, Ashraf Radi Aljuma, Abdaljawad Abdulmajed Alnasser, Mohammed Ahmed Ali Alabdullah, Mohammed Essa Al Farhan, Anwar Haji Al Majhad, … Mahdi Nasser Alsaygh. (2025). The Role of the Saudi Red Crescent Authority in Mass-Casualty Incident Preparedness. International Journal of Computational and Experimental Science and Engineering, 11(4). https://doi.org/10.22399/ijcesen.4050

Issue

Section

Research Article