Company Emergency Management - a new concept exemplified by the Aachen City Administration

Introduction
The Aachen City Administration and its owner-operated municipal enterprises employ about 4 300 people (2010).
In the context of a comprehensive occupational safety programme in the Aachen City Administration, a new concept for occupational emergency management will be presented.

Methods
Based on already existing emergency plans for schools in the German State of North Rhine-Westphalia, a precautionary approach ("Vorsorgekonzept") for potentially critical sectors like the department for public order, the social services department, the tax office and cash desk areas has been developed in collaboration with the statutory accident insurance of North Rhine-Westphalia and the police.
Furthermore, direct help has been introduced through the project "Psychological First Aid After Accidents at the Workplace“.

Results
This can be of benefit to all members of staff who have suffered physical and/or psychological injury at work. Accidents at the workplace may not only result in physical injuries but may also have psychological consequences which express themselves as post-traumatic stress disorders, depression or pain disorders. Early intervention of the right kind can help to reduce or even prevent such stress situations.

Discussion
This "psychological first aid“ is administered, analogue to classic first aid, by volunteers from among the staff. The required two-day qualification course and the contents of this training seminar will be outlined. The results of evaluation will be presented.