A phenomenological study on psychological resilience of aircraft rescue and fire fighting professionals

Abstract The primary objective of this study is to investigate the specific aspects of psychological resilience among ARFF professionals. Utilizing a qualitative approach and collecting data from 11 ARFF professionals using semi-structured interviews, this study delves into an exploration of factors that contribute to psychological resilience among Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) personnel stationed at State Airports, a group operating under emergency circumstances within the aviation industry. The investigation reveals three overarching themes: micro-level personal factors, meso-level organizational factors, and macro-level environmental/societal factors. Key findings reveal that micro-level personal factors, including personality traits and individual coping mechanisms, significantly influence ARFF professionals’ psychological resilience. Encompassing leadership quality and team dynamics, meso-level organizational factors have emerged as crucial contributors to resilience. Finally, macro-level environmental/societal factors, such as social support networks and the broader emergency preparedness context, have been identified as integral elements shaping psychological resilience. This qualitative approach, designed to capture the nuanced experiences and perceptions of ARFF professionals through a multi-level exploration of psychological resilience, extends its implications to the realms of aviation and emergency response. Micro-level considerations illuminate the significance of human resources-related decisions, such as recruitment and training, in fortifying ARFF professionals’ resilience. Meso-level considerations provide evidence for the impactful role of leadership and effective safety measures in promoting resilience. Macro-level considerations underscore the importance of environmental design and spillover effects, such as family support, in shaping resilience. An understanding of the factors that contribute to psychological resilience may be directly transferable to the creation of support mechanisms and targeted interventions and may also be directly transferable to assist emergency response teams in the aviation sector.