Responding to
disasters is both rewarding and challenging work. Sources of stress for
emergency responders may include witnessing human suffering, risk of personal
harm, intense workloads, life-and-death decisions, and separation from
family. Stress prevention and management is critical for responders to stay
well and to continue to help in the situation. There are important steps
responders should take before, during, and after an event.
Preparing for a Response:
- Try
to learn as much as possible about what your role would be in a
response.
- If
you will be traveling or working long hours during a response, explain
this to loved ones who may want to contact you. Come up with ways you
may be able to communicate with them. Keep their expectations realistic
and take the pressure off yourself.
- Talk
to your supervisor and establish a plan for who will fill any urgent or
ongoing work duties unrelated to the disaster while you are engaged in
the response.
During a Response: Understand and Identify Burnout and Secondary Traumatic
Stress
Responders experience stress during a crisis. When stress builds up it can
cause—
- Burnout
(feelings of extreme exhaustion and being overwhelmed)
- Secondary
traumatic stress (stress reactions and symptoms resulting from exposure
to another individual’s traumatic experiences rather than from direct
exposure to a traumatic event)
Coping techniques like taking breaks, eating healthy foods, exercising, and
using the buddy system can help prevent and reduce burnout and secondary
traumatic stress. Recognize the signs of both conditions in yourself and
other responders to be sure those who need a break or need help can address
these needs.
Returning Home from a Response (adapted from SAMHSA’s Tips for Families of Returning Disaster
Responders)
Following disaster assignments away from home, reunions are eagerly
anticipated by all. Reconnecting with family can sometimes be harder than we
expect, but it can be effectively managed. Remember that homecoming is more
than an event; it is a process of reconnection. Consider reading SAMHSA’s
(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) tips for families (also available in Spanish) on adjusting to life at home for more
information on how you and your loved ones can make your return home
easier.