BOARD # 241: First Responder and Emergency Manager Willingness to Wear Non-Medical Masks: An NSF- Engineering Education and Centers-Funded Research Experience for Undergraduates
- Conference
- Location
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Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Publication Date
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June 22, 2025
- Start Date
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June 22, 2025
- End Date
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August 15, 2025
- Conference Session
- Tagged Topic
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NSF Grantees Poster Session
- Page Count
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6
- Permanent URL
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https://peer.asee.org/55601
- Download Count
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1
Paper Authors
Hector Rogelio Prieto Valdosta State College
Lisa Wier Oklahoma State University
Tony McAleavy Oklahoma State University
Dr. Tony McAleavy is an assistant professor and program coordinator for the Fire and Emergency Management Program at Oklahoma State University. He holds a PhD in Disaster Management from the University of South Wales, and MSc Disaster Management and Sustainable Development, and BA (Hons) Business Administration degrees from Northumbria University in the United Kingdom. He has held substantive academic positions in the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom, and visiting professorships in India and Turkey. His research addresses problems in disaster preparedness and response.
Dr. McAleavy is a permanent member of the National Academies Action Collaborative on Disaster Research. He serves as a technical specialist for the United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response program (UN-Spider). He is also a former practitioner with over a decade of experience with H.M. Coastguard, the Northeast Ambulance Service, and in local government emergency management
Abstract
COVID-19 emerged in early 2020 killing an estimated 7 million people by April 2025. Wearing masks and maintaining social distance can help limit the spread of infection. However, uncertainty, changing scientific insights, politics, cultural norms and values, knowledge, education, and more influence adherence to government masking mandates. First responders and emergency managers are at the forefront of response operations. Despite their critical role, little research has addressed the willingness of such personnel to wear non-medical masks during a pandemic. Accordingly, this 10-week qualitative student-led Research Experience for Undergraduates study aims to critically evaluate the perceptions of non-medical mask usage amongst first responders and emergency managers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prieto, H. R., & Wier, L., & McAleavy, T. (2025, June), BOARD # 241: First Responder and Emergency Manager Willingness to Wear Non-Medical Masks: An NSF- Engineering Education and Centers-Funded Research Experience for Undergraduates Paper presented at 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition , Montreal, Quebec, Canada . https://peer.asee.org/55601
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