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2025 Vol.21, Issue 3 Preview Page

Original Article

A Case Study on the Experience of Firefighters at a Disaster Site

재난 현장에서 소방 구조대원의 경험에 대한 사례 연구

이정우1ㆍ정종수2*

JungWoo Lee1, ChongSoo Cheung2*

1Ph.D. Student, Department of Disaster Safety Management, University of Soongsil, Seoul, Republic of Korea
2Professor, Department of Disaster Safety Management, University of Soongsil, Seoul, Republic of Korea
30 September 2025. pp. 691-706
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Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to explore in-depth the structure of psychological trauma, emotional reactions, ethical conflicts, and recovery processes experienced by fire and rescue personnel working at disaster sites. In particular, we aimed to analyze how rescuers experience and internalize emotional labor during their work. Method: A qualitative case study method was applied to conduct semi-structured interviews with six firefighters with more than 12 years of rescue experience. Interview data were categorized and thematically analyzed to derive meaning from emotional experiences and recovery processes. Result and Conclusion: Three categories emerged: crisis response and psychological trauma, the interplay of emotional experience and empathy, and self-completion and sense of calling. Rescuers experienced the tension of deployment, the visual shock of the scene, emotional disconnection from family, emotional recovery through peer groups, and reaffirmation of professional meaning through successful rescues. Rescue workers do not simply suppress or ignore their emotions, but regulate and recover them and construct meaning in their work. This study suggests the need for institutional recognition and policy support for rescue workers’ experiences of emotional labor and recovery.
Keywords
Firefighter Rescuers
Disaster Response
Traumatic Experience
Emotional Recovery
Professional Calling
연구목적: 본 연구는 재난 현장에서 활동하는 소방 구조대원들이 경험하는 심리적 충격, 정서적 반응, 윤리적 갈등 및 회복 과정의 구조를 심층적으로 탐색하고자 하였다. 특히 구조대원들이 직무 수행 중 감정노동을 어떻게 경험하고 내면화하는지를 분석하고자 하였다. 연구방법: 질적 사례연구 방법을 적용하여 구조 경력 12년 이상의 소방 구조대원 6명을 대상으로 반구조화 면담을 실시하였다. 인터뷰 자료는 범주화 및 주제 분석을 통해 정서적 경험과 회복 과정의 의미를 도출하였다. 연구결과 및 결론: 위기 대응과 심리적 충격, 정서적 경험과 공감의 상호작용, 자기 극복과 소명 의식의 세 가지 범주로 도출되었다. 구조대원들은 출동의 긴장감, 현장의 시각적 충격, 가족과의 감정 단절, 동료 집단을 통한 정서 회복 등을 경험하였으며, 구조 성공을 통해 직업적 의미를 재확인하고 있었다. 구조대원은 감정을 단순히 억제하거나 방치하는 존재가 아니라, 이를 조절하고 회복하며 직무 속에서 존재 의미를 구성하는 주체로 기능하고 있다. 본 연구는 구조대원의 감정노동과 회복 경험에 대한 제도적 인식과 정책적 지원의 필요성을 제언한다.
키워드
소방 구조대원
재난 대응
외상 경험
정서적 회복
직업적 소명 의식
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Information
  • Publisher :The Korean Society of Disaster Information
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국재난정보학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국재난정보학회논문집
  • Volume : 21
  • No :3
  • Pages :691-706
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.15683/kosdi.2025.9.30.691
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