Preparing Saudi Paramedics for Effective Disaster Management: A Study of the Current State and Future Needs

Abstract

Saudi Arabia has experienced an increase in both the frequency and severity of both natural and human-induced disasters, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen national planning and preparedness. This need is particularly critical within the healthcare sector, where paramedics play a pivotal frontline role. Effective disaster response relies on well-structured education, practical training, and strong institutional support; however, disaster management education for paramedics in Saudi Arabia remains inconsistent, fragmented, and insufficiently aligned with international standards. Moreover, limited research has examined the competencies required for paramedics to respond effectively throughout the disaster cycle. To date, no comprehensive national framework has defined the competencies required for Saudi paramedics to function effectively across the disaster cycle. This study aimed to examine the current state of disaster preparedness and education among Saudi paramedics and to identify future priorities to strengthen national resilience. Perspectives from frontline paramedics, paramedic operational leaders, and academic experts were integrated to provide a comprehensive understanding of the systemic challenges affecting disaster management education and practices. The research draws on international models, including the Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Recovery PPRR framework and the Australian Generic Emergency and Disaster Management Standards (GEDMS), the study proposes a hybrid framework: the Saudi Paramedic Disaster Management Education Framework (SP-DMEF). This framework is intended as a foundational starting point for policymakers, researchers, universities, and healthcare organisations. ii For this research, A qualitative phenomenological design was adopted to explore lived experiences and expert insights. Semi-structured online interviews were conducted with three participant groups: frontline paramedics with disaster experience (n = 14), paramedic leaders and managers responsible for operational oversight (n = 12), and academics involved in paramedicine and emergency management education (n = 12). Data were analysed using Colaizzi’s seven-step process to generate meaning units, codes, categories and overarching themes. The findings revealed substantial deficiencies in disaster education and preparedness in Saudi Arabia. Frontline paramedics reported limited exposure to disaster content during undergraduate study, limited refresher training, and frequent reliance on improvisation when responding realworld events due to unclear operational guidance. Leaders identified the absence of national competency standards, weak inter-agency coordination mechanisms, and ambiguity regarding paramedic roles across the preparedness, response, and recovery phases. Academics highlighted curriculum inconsistencies, limited practical simulation opportunities, and a lack of integrated, competency-based frameworks embedding disaster management throughout paramedics’ education pathways. Collectively, these findings demonstrate systemic challenges that hinder the development of a disaster-ready paramedic workforce in Saudi Arabia. This study underscores the urgent need for national policies reforms, standardised educational competency frameworks, and evidence-based training programs that aligns with global best practice in disaster management. It contributes a hybrid analytical model that can be used to assess and enhance disaster management in Saudi Arabia and offers actionable recommendations for academic institutions, healthcare authorities, and policymakers. These findings align with the broader health transformation goals outlined in Saudi Vision 2030 and provide a foundation for future research aimed at strengthening national disaster resilience and paramedic workforce iii capability. Notably, this study is the first qualitative investigation to engage paramedics from all professional levels, offering a comprehensive perspective on disaster management practices within the Saudi context. By doing so, it generates new empirical evidence in a minimally explored domain and addresses critical gaps in paramedic disaster management research across Saudi Arabia.