Relevance Today
In a time where it is acknowledged that terrorist threats and active shooters are no longer a case of ‘if it happens’ but now a case of ‘when it happens’ Emergency Services are preparing themselves to become more resilient operationally to what such a situation may entail. Although policies, contingency plans and operational training are looked at in case should such an event happen, are organisations prepared for the emotional impact that it may have not only on the public involved but also the emotional well being of the frontline and control room staff, and are there staff with the awareness and training to be able to be called on at such a time?
What is Trauma?
Psychological reactions to traumatic incidents can be anything from mildly disturbing and temporary to dramatic, disabling and persistent. Some people have no reactions other than calmness and acceptance, whilst others experience feelings, emotions and symptoms which can last from a few minutes to hours, days or months. Whilst most people recover and return to their normal functioning in a short while, some find that their reactions persist and begin to affect their health and their relationships at home and work, influencing their whole lives.
It is not certain why particular reactions occur to traumatic events, but they appear to be influenced by at least three important variables:
- The traumatic nature of the incident
- The character and the personality of the individual involved, and what else is going on in their life at the moment.
- The preparation of the individual, and the support given before, during and after the event.
Relevance to the Emergency Services
For people working in jobs that expose them to trauma, violence and death on a regular basis, coping with such distressing experiences is a necessary part of their working lives. The police, firefighters and other response services are at the forefront of these so-called critical occupations.
Recent research by AXA shows that 98% of those working in critical roles said the support of colleagues was vital to their ability to function in their job.
Although times have changed, there is increasing pressure on our Response Services as they are having to make sure they my projected targets, budget cuts and deal with more people, it is vital that the correct measures are put in place to ensure the wellbeing of their staff during these hard and traumatic times.
How can Trauma Support Help?
Quite simply its having the right training and access to the right resources at the right time. Trauma response planning is essential to any critical occupation. Any incident may be potentially traumatic to someone and it is vital that the awareness, knowledge and training is there to be able to respond effectively
Blue Light Trauma Services will be able to put together a package to support your organisations need and assist in the welfare and resilience of your staff.