Disasters – Lessons Learned: How to Best Equip Your Organization for Both the Physical and...

Disasters – Lessons Learned:

How to Best Equip Your Organization forBoth the Physical and Emotional Cleanup

Joy M. Kruppa, Peace River Center, FLSharon Youngerman, LCSW – Quigley

House, FLJulie Ann Rivers-Cochran, MSW –

FCADV

NCADV 12th National ConferenceJuly 11, 2006

Welcome!

• Introductions

• Sign-up for email list

• Expectations

Objectives

• Learn the basics of emergency planning

• Gain an understanding of how to deal with and plan for a disaster before, during, and after the event

• Gain an understanding of post-disaster recovery disaster assistance

• Gain an understanding of disaster-related trauma and its impact on you and the survivors you work with

Florida’s 2004 Hurricane Season

1) Charley – August 1

2) Frances – September 5

3) Ivan – September 16

4) Jeanne – September 25

Disaster Preparedness

• Lessons Learned– All known preparations must be made

•Do not take basics for granted•Count on the unexpected

If you perceive that there are four possible ways in which something can go wrong, and circumvent these, then a fifth way, unprepared for, will promptly develop.

One of Murphy's’ Laws


• Lessons Learned

– Rehearse plans regularly – In crises, most employees rise to the

situations and exceed expectations – the others?

– Review chain of command


• What we have improved– Items added to supplies (bug repellent, battery

operated motion lights, more batteries, larger generator, car chargers etc)

– Prepare earlier – counts/tests/checklists/one dedicated LAN line in each facility

– Change phone messages/updated phone lists/lists of shelters & distribution centers in area

– Remember to include staff in food supplies counts– Medical emergency preparedness– Phone call afterwards


What’s on the radar – To Do’s• Additional training

• Re-assess procedures, supplies, responsibilities, checklists, equipment

• Re-affirm relationships with county/city emergency departments – local organizations

• Practice, practice, practice


Do we know what we don’t know???• The best designed plans will have

flaws in any crisis, disaster or emergency

• The value to planning and practicing is to generate confidence to make decisions in the face of uncertainties

• Empower staff

Do we know what we don’t know??? contin.• Access all web based info you can

• All disasters have certain basic components – that must be mixed and matched to the impending disaster

• Never underestimate the value of common sense

Expand actions/knowns to unknowns in a pandemic

Safety Planning

• The disaster will create unexpected safety issues…brainstorm ideas and possibilities before and after the disaster.


• Conclusion

– Evaluate after each real/practice disaster

– Contemplate decisions early

– Be prepared for unexpected

Center Policies & Procedures

• Packet on Disk

Post-disaster Recovery Assistance

What is Trauma?

• It is an individual’s interpretation of the experience that determines whether or not it is traumatic!

Esther Giller, The Sidran Foundation from What is Psychological Trauma?

• Key to understanding traumatic events is that it refers to extreme stress that overwhelms a person’s ability to cope

Key Concepts of Working withSurvivors of a Disaster

• No one who sees a disaster is untouched by it

• There are two types of disaster trauma – individual and community

• Most people pull together and function during and after a disaster, but their effectiveness is diminished

From Key Concepts of Working with Survivors of a Disaster found in the Field Manual for Mental Health and Human Service Workers in Major Disasters, Deborah H. DeWolfe, Ph.D., M.S.P.H., SAMHSA’s National Mental Health Information Center

Key Concepts of Working with Survivors of a Disaster contin.

•Disaster stress and grief reactions are normal responses to an abnormal situation

•Many emotional reactions of disaster survivors stem from problems of living brought by the disaster


• Most people do not see themselves as needing mental health services following disaster and will not seek such services.

• Survivors may reject disaster assistance of all types.

• Disaster mental health assistance is often more practical than psychological in nature.


• Disaster mental health services must be uniquely tailored to the communities they serve.

• Mental health workers need to set aside traditional methods, avoid the use of mental health labels, and use and active outreach approach to intervene successfully in disaster.


•Survivors respond to active, genuine interest, and concern.

•Interventions must be appropriate to the phase of the disaster.

•Social support systems are crucial.

• Understanding difference between professional helping relationships and friendships

• Examination of personal prejudices and cultural stereotypes

• Vicarious traumatization or compassion fatigue may develop

• Recognition of when own disaster experience or losses interfere with effectiveness

Survivor Guilt

Survivor guilt is a very common phenomenon among disaster survivors. Survivor guilt is felt by survivors who feel they are not suffering to the same degree as others that experienced the same disaster.

For example, a co-worker may have entirely lost their home, while the survivor experiencing survivor guilt had minimal exterior damage to their home. Survivor guilt should not be overlooked or minimized.

The Importance of Leadership

Following a natural disaster, leadership is essential to keeping staff productive and cohesive.

Set employee expectations prior to the hurricane.

Educate staff about Compassion Fatigue and Vicarious Trauma and the need to prepare advocate resilience.

Keep staff notified of plans for evacuation, hotline transfer, re-opening, services offered, and processes related to keeping services up and running is also essential.

Contact Us!

Julie Ann [email protected]

Disasters – Lessons Learned: How to Best Equip Your Organization for Both the Physical and...

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