Time-efficiency factors in road tunnel rescue as perceived by Swedish operative personnel – an interview study
International Journal of Emergency Services · 2022-02-01 · Qualitative study
Abstract
Purpose Major incidents in road tunnels remain a collaborative challenge for the emergency services (fire and rescue service, police and ambulance), emergency dispatch centres (EDCs) and infrastructure owners. The aim of this paper is to investigate how collaborative partners to the ambulance services perceive the rescue effort and to identify factors that may influence its efficiency. Design/methodology/approach Focus group and individual interviews were conducted with 19 participants who were infrastructure owners or had operational or tactical responsibilities with the emergency services or EDCs in two regions in Sweden with multiple road tunnels. The collected data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Findings Three main categories described efficiency factors during and after an incident: (1) coordinating the initial information (using a shared terminology), (2) achieving situational awareness (identifying those persons in need) and (3) lessons (not) learnt (lack of joint tactical plans and exercises). The emerging theme was access, assess and evaluate. Practical implications The findings suggest that establishing national policies and collaborative forums might yield more efficiently managed rescue efforts in road tunnel incidents in Sweden and other countries with similar organisational structures. Originality/value This study offers new insights on interoperability during responses to complex underground incidents.
Abstract © the authors or publisher, via OpenAlex. Reuse and removal
Tags
Communication & handover · Interagency collaboration · Fire service & police · Teamwork & human factors
Related articles
- Tactical leaders' and collaborative organizations' non-technical skills during major road tunnel incidents - An iterative focus group study. (Int Emerg Nurs, 2023)
- Building “common knowledge” when responding to major road tunnel incidents: an inter-organisational focus group study (International Journal of Emergency Services, 2022)
- Adaptive clinical command and operational resilience in maritime mass casualty incidents: A qualitative study. (Int Emerg Nurs, 2026)
- Reducing the therapeutic vacuum: a qualitative study learning from experiences of care delivery during terror attacks in the UK over the past 20 years. (BMJ Open, 2026)
- First responders' experiences with major earthquakes in Türkiye: a qualitative study of innovation needs and challenges. (BMC Emerg Med, 2025)
- Collaboration among emergency first responders at major incidents - an explorative focus group study. (Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med, 2026)