A Crisis Response Model for First Responders to Acute Stress Reactions Based on the Behavior–Affect–Sensation–Knowledge Framework

Background First responders, including emergency medical workers, firefighters, and police officers, are frequently confronted with victims experiencing acute stress reactions (ASRs). Although they are not mental health professionals, they are required to address these situations to ensure the well-being of victims, prevent escalation, and protect themselves from secondary trauma. Current crisis intervention models for non-mental health professionals rely on either generic guidelines or fixed interaction scripts when engaging with victims. Objective This study examines the potential of a rule-based model that links ASR symptoms to intervention techniques, grounded in the behavior–affect–sensation–knowledge (BASK) framework. We hypothesize that a BASK-based intervention model would be well-suited for non-professional healthcare providers. Methods After developing and operationalizing the model, an initial assessment was conducted to evaluate its accessibility to novices following a short training session. A sample of 43 students attended a lecture on acute stress, followed by a series of identification tasks. After a training phase, participants were asked to identify both behavioral ASR signs and intervention techniques. Results The results indicate high overall accuracy in identifying behavioral signs and intervention techniques. However, a lack of reliability was observed among items from the same BASK component. Conclusion A theoretical comparison between the BASK model and other approaches highlights the relevance of a rule-based model. However, the reliability of identifying the underlying BASK processes in victim behavior and intervention techniques still requires further development.