Plenary: Burnout—Mounting Pressures and Workforce Shortages in an Age of Extremes

Tuesday, July 13, 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. MDT

Emergency managers, first responders, and healthcare professionals in the United States have been working in a continual state of crisis due to the pandemic and a cascade of climate-related disasters. These workers have faced enormous physical, psychological, and moral stressors as they have protected and served the public. Over 4,000 healthcare workers have died during the pandemic and emergency responders have been stretched to the limit and are reporting widespread exhaustion. Many agencies have turned to temporary workers or incarcerated populations to fight wildfires, clean up debris, and otherwise attempt to manage disaster. This plenary session will address issues of workforce burnout and worker shortages while also grappling with questions concerning society’s responsibility to support emergency personnel.

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