9.1. INTRODUCTION
Since the number of emergencies is increasing globally, the number of people involved is getting larger, too. Disasters of various nature often lead to death and injuries, including exposure to psychotraumatic factors. In extreme conditions, the human psyche sustains a powerful negative impact. The extent to which a person is psychologically prepared underlies in their responsible, confident and efficient activities to save themselves and those around them in the face of damaging factors of emergencies. Psychological readiness of rescuers, firefighters, police, medical workers to perform their tasks is of great importance in managing the after-effects of emergency situations.