“Crisis Management Through Incident Command”

Tom Moriarty

“The Incident Commander needs to determine the immediate needs of all

people exposed to the crisis”

“A mental health professional, trained in emotional trauma needs to be assigned to the command post”

Assess the Emotional Needs

• Students

• Staff

• Parents

• Command Post Personnel

Types of Victims

• Primary

• Secondary

• Tertiary

“Emotional trauma may decrease the effectiveness of Incident Command

Personnel”

“The goal is to assure that victims of disaster become survivors by preventing long-term negative consequences of emotionally

traumatic events.”

Goal of Disaster Mental Health

Types of Disasters

• Natural

• Technological

• Health

• Terrorism

• Civil

“Individual trauma recovery is difficult while a community

remains in shreds.”

“Most people do not believe they need mental health services after

a disaster.”

“I have lost everything and now you think I’m crazy.”

Remember

“No one who experiences a disaster is left untouched by it.”

Seeing massive destruction and terrible sights causes feelings of:

• Anxiety

• Anger

• Grief

• Despair/hopelessness

• Sadness

People/Groups Most at Risk

• Lost/missing loved ones

• Injuries to self or loved ones

• Lost or severely damaged homes

• Lost jobs

• Exposure to traumatic sights, sounds, or experiences

“Disaster mental health is usually more “practical” than “psychological” in nature.”

Immediate and Practical Living Needs

• Location of missing loved ones

• Finding temporary housing/shelter

• Clothing/food

• Medical care/medications/eyeglasses

Grief Reactions to Loss are Normal

• Loved ones

• Pets

• Home and treasured possessions

• Hopes and dreams

• Meanings of life

Disaster Mental Health Interventions

• Rapid assessment and triage

• Crisis intervention

• Supportive listening

• Problem-solving immediate issues

• Education about disaster stress

• Debriefing and community meetings

• Information and referral

Phases of Disaster Reactions

• Warning of Threat

• Impact

• Rescue or Heroic

• Remedy or Honeymoon

• Inventory

• Disillusionment

• Reconstruction and Recovery

Physical Reactions

• Fatigue, exhaustion

• Gastrointestinal distress

• Appetite change

• Tightening in throat, chest, or stomach

• Worsening of chronic conditions

• Somatic complaints

Effects of Long-Term Disaster Stress

• Anxiety and vigilance

• Anger, resentment and conflict

• Uncertainty about the future

• Prolonged mourning of losses

• Diminished problem-solving

• Isolation and hopelessness

• Health problems

• Physical and mental exhaustion

• Lifestyle changes

Emotional Reactions

• Anxiety

• Depression, Sadness, Grief

• Feeling hopeless or helpless

• Feeling numb

• Irritability

• Guilt, self doubt

• Unpredictable mood swings

Behavioral Reactions

• Social withdrawal/Silence

• Hyper-alert to environment

• Suspiciousness

• Emotional outbursts, loss of control

• Changes from typical behavior