The Process of Building Resilience For Disaster and Safety Professionals: Focusing on COVID-19 Disaster Response

doi:10.15683/kosdi.2025.12.31.909

All Issue

2025 Vol.21, Issue 4 Preview Page Next Page

Research Article

The Process of Building Resilience For Disaster and Safety Professionals: Focusing on COVID-19 Disaster Response 재난안전분야 종사자의 리질리언스 구축과정: 코로나19 재난대응 업무를 중심으로: 정기식¹ㆍ정종수²*
Ki-Sik Jung¹, Chong-Soo Cheung²*; ¹Senior Project Manager, Cloud Datacenter Business Unit, LG CNS, Seoul, Republic of Korea
²Professor, Department of Disaster and Safety Management, University of Soongsil, Seoul, Republic of Korea

31 December 2025. pp. 909-922

PDF

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the difficulties and overcoming processes experienced by disaster safety workers performing disaster response tasks and to present directions for fostering disaster safety management experts. Method: As a research method of grounded theory of qualitative research, workers in the disaster safety field who performed COVID-19 disaster response work in domestic companies were selected by theoretical sampling, and basic data were collected through in-depth and online interviews. The collected data were analyzed according to the research method of grounded theory such as open coding, axis coding, and optional coding. Result: First, social disasters follow the model of “prevention–preparedness–protection–response–recovery.” Second, the experience of disaster response becomes a motivating factor for job satisfaction and growth of workers in the disaster safety field. Third, the safety culture of the organization is an important factor in performing the role of workers in the disaster safety field. Finally, active temperament and attitude are required for workers in the disaster safety field. As a result of open coding, a total of 70 concepts, 26 subcategories, and 10 categories were derived. Through axial coding, the central phenomenon identified was “Overcoming the lack of organizational understanding of disaster management through a sense of mission.” Furthermore, the selective coding revealed that the core category of this study was analyzed as “Establishing the foremost value of overcoming limitations without compromise.” Conclusion: Not only the individual's temperament and attitude, but also the organization's safety culture level further improved the professionalism of the person in charge of disaster safety. Therefore, in order to cultivate experts in the field of disaster safety, it is necessary to strengthen education and training for those in charge of safety and to improve the organization's safety culture.

Keywords

Disaster Safety Practitioner

Resilience

Grounded Theory

Qualitative Research

Safety Culture

COVID-19

연구목적: 본 연구의 목적은 재난대응 업무를 수행하는 재난안전분야 종사자들이 재난대응 과정에서 겪는 어려움과 극복 과정을 탐색하여 재난안전관리 전문가 육성을 위한 방향성을 제시하는 것이다. 연구방법: 질적 연구의 근거이론(grounded theory) 연구 방법으로 국내 기업에서 코로나19 재난 대응 업무를 수행했던 재난안전분야 종사자들을 이론적 표집에 의해 선정하고 심층 면담과 온라인 인터뷰를 통해 기초자료를 수집하였다. 수집된 자료들을 개방 코딩, 축 코딩, 선택 코딩 등 근거이론의 연구 방법에 따라 분석하였다. 개방 코딩의 결과 70개의 개념, 26개의 하위범주와 10개의 범주를 도출하였다. 축 코딩을 통해 도출한 중심 현상은 “재난관리에 대한 조직의 이해 부재를 사명감으로 이겨내기”로 나타났다. 또한 선택 코딩의 결과 본 연구의 핵심 범주는 “한계를 극복하고 타협 불가한 제1의 가치로 자리 잡기”로 분석되었다. 연구결과: 첫째, 사회재난은 “예방-대비-보호-대응-복구”의 모형을 따른다. 둘째, 재난대응 경험은 재난안전분야 종사자의 직무 만족과 성장을 위한 동기부여 요소가 된다. 셋째, 재난안전분야 종사자의 역할 수행에 조직의 안전문화가 중요한 요소이다. 마지막으로 재난안전분야 종사자에게는 적극적인 기질과 태도가 필요하다. 결론: 재난안전분야 종사자의 전문성 향상에는 개인의 기질과 태도뿐만 아니라 조직의 안전문화 수준 또한 필요함을 확인하였다. 따라서 재난안전 분야 전문가 양성을 위해서는 종사자에 대한 교육 및 훈련을 강화하고, 조직의 안전문화 수준을 제고하기 위한 노력이 필수적이다.

키워드

재난안전분야 종사자

리질리언스

근거이론

질적연구

안전문화

코로나19

References

Baek, J. (2012). “Job satisfaction and competency improvement strategies for crisis management officers.” Crisisonomy, Vol. 8, No. 4, pp. 47-64.
Bang, K. (2023). “Strategies for training disaster management professionals.” Monthly Public Policy, Vol. 215, pp. 28-30.
Choi, S. (2015). “Directions for training and improving the operation of disaster management personnel.” Korean Journal of Disaster Prevention, Vol. 61, pp. 20-28.
Coombs, W.T. (1999). Ongoing Crisis Communication: Planning, Managing, and Responding. SAGE Publications, Thousand Oaks, California.
Corbin, J., Strauss, A.L. (2008). Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory(3rd Edition). Sage, Thousand Oaks, California. 10.4135/9781452230153
Creswell, J.W., Poth, C.N. (2016). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches. Sage publications, Thousand Oaks, California.
Fink, S. (1986). Crisis Management: Planning for the Inevitable. AMACOM, New York.
Hwangbo, H., Lee, C., Kim, H., Kim, B. (2023) “The role of workers' awareness of disaster safety management and disaster management capabilities of companies and governments for infectious disease disaster management: Focused on workers in the automobile manufacturing industry.” Journal of the Society of Disaster Information, Vol. 19, No. 3, pp. 451-470. 10.15683/KOSDI.2023.9.30.451
Jeong, D. (2022). “How do amateur golfers lower their average handicap?: Using grounded theory analysis.” Journal of Golf Studies, Vol. 16, No. 2, pp. 131-146. 10.34283/ksgs.2022.16.2.12
Kang, H., Lee, C. (2017). “An urban resilience diagnosis and policy implications of urban regeneration projects.” GRI Research Journal, Vol. 19, No. 1, pp. 359-386.
Kelley, T.M., Pransky, J. (2013). “Principles for realizing resilience: A new view of trauma and inner resilience.” Journal of Traumatic Stress Disorders & Treatment, Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 1-9. 10.4172/2324-8947.1000102
Kim, S., Cheung, C. (2025). “A study on the introduction and effectiveness os competence improvement education program for BCMS.” Journal of the Society of Disaster Information, Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. 493-500.
Kwon, H. (2022). Development of a Job Competency Model and Analysis of Educational Needs for Military Safety Managers: Focusing on Army Division and Brigade Units. Ph.D. Dissertation, Seoul National University of Science and Technology.
Kwon, H. (2022). Development of a Job Competency Model and Analysis of Educational Needs for Military Safety Managers: Focusing on Army Division and Brigade Units. Ph.D. Dissertation, Seoul National University of Science and Technology.
Lee, K., Lee, J., Kim, Y. (2022). “A study on cooperative governance for responding to pandemic crisis situations in the foodservice industry.” Journal of Hotel and Tourism Studies, Vol. 24, No. 3, pp. 19-34. 10.31667/jhts.2022.06.92.19
Lasota, A., Tomaszek, K., Bosacki, S. (2020). “How to become more grateful? The mediating role of resilience between empathy and gratitude.” Current Psychology, Vol. 41, No. 3, pp. 1-10. 10.1007/s12144-020-01178-1
Litman, T. (2020). Pandemic-resilient Community Planning. Victoria Transport Policy Institute, 250-508-5150, Victoria, BC, Canada.
Maguire, B., Hagan, P. (2007). “Disasters and communities: Understanding social resilience.” Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Vol. 22, No. 2, pp. 16-20.
Moon, H., Ryu, K. (2024). “A grounded theory study on the learning experience process of participating teachers during the research year.” The Journal of Korean Teacher Education, Vol. 41, No. 3, pp. 683-712. 10.24211/TJKTE.2024.41.3.683
Nam, J., Cheung, C. (2024), “Analysis of competency research trends of professional instructors by industrial sector in Korea.” Journal of the Society of Disaster Information, Vol. 20, No. 3, pp. 693-704. 10.15683/KOSDI.2024.9.30.693
Shin, J., Cheung, C. (2024). “A study on the impact of Business Continuity Management System(BCMS) on disaster management performance and disaster site response.” Journal of the Society of Disaster Information, Vol. 20, No. 2, pp. 430-439.
Strauss, A., Corbin, J. (1990). Basics of Qualitative Research: Grounded Theory Procedures and Techniques. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, California.
Turner, B.A. (1978). Man-Made Disasters. Wykeham Publications, London, UK.
Yang, H. (2021). A Structural Analysis of Government Trust, Community and Individual Resilience, and COVID-19 Health Protection Behaviors: Examining the Linkage with Functional Continuity. Ph.D. Dissertation, Soongsil University.
Yoo, S. (2020). “A study on the experience of narcotics in men addicts in prison: Grounded theory approach.” Journal of Welfare for The Correction, Vol. 65, pp. 59-95. 10.35422/cwsk.2020.65.59

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 :4
Pages :909-922
DOI :https://doi.org/10.15683/kosdi.2025.12.31.909

[1] Baek, J. (2012). “Job satisfaction and competency improvement strategies for crisis management officers.” Crisisonomy, Vol. 8, No. 4, pp. 47-64.

[2] Bang, K. (2023). “Strategies for training disaster management professionals.” Monthly Public Policy, Vol. 215, pp. 28-30.

[3] Choi, S. (2015). “Directions for training and improving the operation of disaster management personnel.” Korean Journal of Disaster Prevention, Vol. 61, pp. 20-28.

[4] Coombs, W.T. (1999). Ongoing Crisis Communication: Planning, Managing, and Responding. SAGE Publications, Thousand Oaks, California.

[5] Corbin, J., Strauss, A.L. (2008). Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory(3rd Edition). Sage, Thousand Oaks, California. 10.4135/9781452230153

[6] Creswell, J.W., Poth, C.N. (2016). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches. Sage publications, Thousand Oaks, California.

[7] Fink, S. (1986). Crisis Management: Planning for the Inevitable. AMACOM, New York.

[8] Hwangbo, H., Lee, C., Kim, H., Kim, B. (2023) “The role of workers' awareness of disaster safety management and disaster management capabilities of companies and governments for infectious disease disaster management: Focused on workers in the automobile manufacturing industry.” Journal of the Society of Disaster Information, Vol. 19, No. 3, pp. 451-470. 10.15683/KOSDI.2023.9.30.451

[9] Jeong, D. (2022). “How do amateur golfers lower their average handicap?: Using grounded theory analysis.” Journal of Golf Studies, Vol. 16, No. 2, pp. 131-146. 10.34283/ksgs.2022.16.2.12

[10] Kang, H., Lee, C. (2017). “An urban resilience diagnosis and policy implications of urban regeneration projects.” GRI Research Journal, Vol. 19, No. 1, pp. 359-386.

[11] Kelley, T.M., Pransky, J. (2013). “Principles for realizing resilience: A new view of trauma and inner resilience.” Journal of Traumatic Stress Disorders & Treatment, Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 1-9. 10.4172/2324-8947.1000102

[12] Kim, S., Cheung, C. (2025). “A study on the introduction and effectiveness os competence improvement education program for BCMS.” Journal of the Society of Disaster Information, Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. 493-500.

[13] Kwon, H. (2022). Development of a Job Competency Model and Analysis of Educational Needs for Military Safety Managers: Focusing on Army Division and Brigade Units. Ph.D. Dissertation, Seoul National University of Science and Technology.

[14] Kwon, H. (2022). Development of a Job Competency Model and Analysis of Educational Needs for Military Safety Managers: Focusing on Army Division and Brigade Units. Ph.D. Dissertation, Seoul National University of Science and Technology.

[15] Lee, K., Lee, J., Kim, Y. (2022). “A study on cooperative governance for responding to pandemic crisis situations in the foodservice industry.” Journal of Hotel and Tourism Studies, Vol. 24, No. 3, pp. 19-34. 10.31667/jhts.2022.06.92.19

[16] Lasota, A., Tomaszek, K., Bosacki, S. (2020). “How to become more grateful? The mediating role of resilience between empathy and gratitude.” Current Psychology, Vol. 41, No. 3, pp. 1-10. 10.1007/s12144-020-01178-1

[17] Litman, T. (2020). Pandemic-resilient Community Planning. Victoria Transport Policy Institute, 250-508-5150, Victoria, BC, Canada.

[18] Maguire, B., Hagan, P. (2007). “Disasters and communities: Understanding social resilience.” Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Vol. 22, No. 2, pp. 16-20.

[19] Moon, H., Ryu, K. (2024). “A grounded theory study on the learning experience process of participating teachers during the research year.” The Journal of Korean Teacher Education, Vol. 41, No. 3, pp. 683-712. 10.24211/TJKTE.2024.41.3.683

[20] Nam, J., Cheung, C. (2024), “Analysis of competency research trends of professional instructors by industrial sector in Korea.” Journal of the Society of Disaster Information, Vol. 20, No. 3, pp. 693-704. 10.15683/KOSDI.2024.9.30.693

[21] Shin, J., Cheung, C. (2024). “A study on the impact of Business Continuity Management System(BCMS) on disaster management performance and disaster site response.” Journal of the Society of Disaster Information, Vol. 20, No. 2, pp. 430-439.

[22] Strauss, A., Corbin, J. (1990). Basics of Qualitative Research: Grounded Theory Procedures and Techniques. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, California.

[23] Turner, B.A. (1978). Man-Made Disasters. Wykeham Publications, London, UK.

[24] Yang, H. (2021). A Structural Analysis of Government Trust, Community and Individual Resilience, and COVID-19 Health Protection Behaviors: Examining the Linkage with Functional Continuity. Ph.D. Dissertation, Soongsil University.

[25] Yoo, S. (2020). “A study on the experience of narcotics in men addicts in prison: Grounded theory approach.” Journal of Welfare for The Correction, Vol. 65, pp. 59-95. 10.35422/cwsk.2020.65.59

Journal of the Society of Disaster Information ISSN:1976-2208(Print) 2671-5287(Online) 한국재난정보학회논문집

All Issue