Attacks in Crowded and Public Spaces - Ready: Ready is a National public service campaign designed to educate and empower the American people to prepare for, respond to and mitigate emergencies, including natural and man-made disasters. This respourse guide is focused on steps to prepare and protect yourself and help others in the event of a mass attack in croweded or public spaces.
Building Workforce Resilience through the Practice of Psychological First Aid: A Course for Supervisors and Leaders - National Association of County & City Health Officials: Individuals in health, public health, and emergency management leadership roles are faced with many challenges when their organizations are activated in response to a disaster. Although mechanisms and processes are in place to support these responses, the abrupt change in focus from normal operations to disaster response operations and the intensity of these devastating events increase the level of urgency and stress for the entire organization. This course introduces leaders to the concept of Psychological First Aid (PFA) as a leadership tool to build workforce resilience, educates leaders about the core components of Psychological First Aid, and provides an opportunity for leaders to apply PFA within scenario-based exercises.
Coping with Stress Following a Mass Shooting- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress: Mass shootings and other disaster events can be extremely stressful. Mobile devices and the internet provide instant access to the details of these events, but can also overwhelm us. Graphic images and videos, often seen in real time, can be very distressing. The seemingly random nature of these events as well as the 24/7/365 access to information about disasters around the world can leave us feeling unsafe and in persistent danger after a mass shooting occurs. This document contains steps to help people cope more effectively with stress after a mass shooting.
Domestic Violence Homicide Response Plan: A Toolkit for Domestic Violence Programs - Washington Coalition Against Domestic Violence: Every survivor we work with is a potential domestic violence homicide victim. We know this as we work with them, advocating on their behalf and building relationships with them and often their families. Programs deal with the reality of knowing that a homicide could happen at any time, and yet not allowing this overpower their every move. So when this most tragic violation occurs, the trauma felt by everyone involved is profound. This is felt by everyone - no matter the nature of their relationship with the victim. The needs of those closest to the victim, the children, family and friends are of utmost importance. In addition, our programs and communities are deeply impacted. A domestic violence homicide can change our organizations and communities forever. Our objective with this document is to provide a framework for programs and their communities to develop a plan that will provide guidance in responding to a domestic violence homicide, whether the victim had been a client or not.
Emergency Management Guide for Business and Industry - Federal Emergency Management Agency: This guide provides step-by-step advice on how to create and maintain a comprehensive emergency management program. It can be used by manufacturers, corporate offices, retailers, utilities or any organization where a sizable number of people work or gather. Whether you operate from a high-rise building or an industrial complex; whether you own, rent or lease your property; whether you are a large or small company; the concepts in this guide will apply.
Grief Leadership: Leadership in the Wake of Tragedy - Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress: Leaders play critical roles in the recovery of communities and individuals after disasters. Leaders identify the way forward, and hear and understand the present emotions and needs of their community. They communicate and reflect the community’s feelings and shared experience in order to lead the community in recovery. This document contains information on understanding grief, communicate effectively with your community, immediate responce, and recovery strategies for organizational and community leaders.
Safety, Recovery and Hope after Disaster Helping Communities and Families Recover - Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress: This document contains some best practice reccomendations for interacting with comminities and families after a disaster to assist in their recovery process ethically.
Six Tips for Responding to White Supremacist Terrorism - The Opportunity Agenda: This article discusses talking points and messaging on how to facilitate meaningful conversations about safety, community, and education in the wake of the white supremacist terrorism.
The Debriefing Debate - Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress: The magnitude of death and destruction in disasters and the extent of the response demand special attention. Physical safety and security of victims and relief workers must take first priority. After safety is assured, other interventions may begin. Debriefing is a popular, early intervention following disasters in which small groups of people involved in the disaster, such as rescue workers, meet in a single lengthy session to share individual feelings and experiences. It should be noted that the effectiveness of debriefing in preventing later mental health problems is much in debate and some studies have found that it can cause harm in some participants. This document contains considerations for inclusion if debreifing is part of your organizations intervention plan.
