The influence of belief in disaster myths on first responders' decision-making in emergencies and disasters - A scoping review.
Frontiers in public health · 2026-01-01 · Scoping review
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The ability to anticipate public behavior shapes first responders' actions during emergencies. Discrepancies between empirically grounded knowledge of public behavior and persistent disaster-related myths held by first responders may lead to misaligned decisions, placing human lives at risk. METHODS: A systematic scoping review mapped the existing evidence on how belief in myths influences the decision-making of first responders (e.g., police/fire services) during the emergency response phase. The review followed the Population-Concept-Context framework and is reported according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The search strategy included three stages: a systematic search of electronic databases (Scopus, PubMed, JSTOR, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar), manual screening of reference lists, and forward citation tracking from 2020 onward. Of the 859 sources identified, 21 met all inclusion criteria and were included in the review. RESULTS: Findings demonstrate that myths, such as assumptions of public panic, looting, and social breakdown, exert direct and indirect influence across multiple levels of the emergency system. These beliefs are embedded in organizational culture, training, procedures, policies, and communication practices, often leading to centralized, security-oriented, and command-and-control responses. Such approaches divert resources from life-saving actions, suppress civic initiatives, restrict information flow, and undermine trust, ultimately reducing response effectiveness and exacerbating harm. These patterns recur across disaster types and contexts, indicating that decision-making failures stem less from disaster characteristics than from myth-based assumptions. CONCLUSIONS: The study concludes that improving emergency response requires a paradigm shift toward evidence-based models that recognize the public as a resource, promote decentralized coordination, support civic participation, and prioritize transparent, empowering communication.
Tags
Communication & handover · Fire service & police · Teamwork & human factors