The first Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Tuscany mission for the earthquake in Turkey: the perception of the work of a mixed team and nursing care provided directly under the rubble in the red zone

Introduction: the study focuses on emergency response in urban settings, with particular attention to integrating Firefighters and Medical Components into a single team, known as USAR (Urban Search and Rescue)After the team's training in Tuscany, there was an opportunity to apply the skills acquired during the earthquake in Turkey in February 2023.

Materials and Methods: a specific questionnaire was used to assess the perception of work within a multidisciplinary team and the benefits of advanced healthcare in rescuing people trapped under rubble. Additionally, the questionnaire investigated the need for improvements after the first experience of the Tuscan USAR team in Turkey.

Results: the results of the study highlighted the importance of the role of nurses within the USAR team and the psychological support provided during stressful and uncertain situations. Furthermore, the group benefited from the communication skills of emergency nurses, which contributed to concentration and efficiency. It was also observed that less experienced members of the team showed a greater predisposition to burnout syndrome, emphasizing the importance of ongoing training and skill development.

Conclusions: In conclusion, the healthcare operator with USAR training was considered crucial in rescuing people trapped under rubble. However, deficiencies in the preparation of the USAR team and the need for further training to address extreme scenarios emerged. Additionally, psychological support and non-technical skills of emergency nurses were found to be fundamental.