Ocean County ERC. Emergency Response Crisis Counseling

Transcription

1 Ocean County ERC Emergency Response Crisis Counseling

2 Question for You When you think of disaster response What do you think of?

3 Disaster Response is About Consequence Management Police, Firefighters, Military, Public Health, EMS Address public safety and general health Disaster Response Crisis Counselors Address traumatic stress reactions

4 First Responder Comparison Public/Health Safety Psychological First Aid Physical Impact Assessment Emotional Impact Assessment ABC s of Medical First Aid Airway Breathing Circulation Stabilization of Environment Stabilization of Psycho-Social Arousal Maintenance of Medical Needs Maintenance of Emotional Needs Promote Physical Recovery Promote Emotional Recovery ABC s of Psychological First Aid Arousal Behavior Cognition

5 What about Disaster Mental Health? During An Emergency or Disaster Stress induced reactions are natural Individuals will experience heightened physiological reaction Impaired judgment, decreased comprehension & increased agitation may occur Keeping individuals calm and decreasing the risk of emotional/psycho-social distress will become important for all first response efforts

6 Community Response In the 1980 s the County Mental Health Board recognized a need to respond to traumatic events that affected our community: Assist victims of trauma with psychological first aid & ongoing support Assist first responders in their line of duty by helping to reduce psychosocial reactions of the public they seek to serve Assist first responders who are victims of trauma through group & individual interventions

7 Ocean ERC Mental Health Board created an Emergency Response Committee (ERC): role was determined by the need in the community for a timely and coordinated response to all victims of traumatic events, regardless of situation or population involved. emergency response processes were developed for a uniform and appropriate community response and coordination of resources in order to effectively deal with the emotional needs of victims of emergencies.

8 We Are Emergency Response Crisis Counselors Designated by County & State to coordinate local Crisis Counseling response Part of the County OEM Plan FEMA Certified (fema.gov) NJ DMHS DRCC Certified (njdrcc.org) 50+ Volunteer Professionals & Paraprofessionals

9 We Practice FEMA and NJDMHS Standards of Response Psychological First Aid (0-48 hours) Crisis Counseling (48+ hours after) Ongoing Crisis Counseling/Support (Weeks/Months/Year after) Outreach & Education

10 How It Works Incident Occurs ERC Activated Assessment Made Psycho-Social Needs Identified Official Representative Involved in the Response (Incident Command) Activates ERC Team Leader Reports to Person in Charge Is briefed Team Responders Report to Team Leader are briefed Team Begins to Address Identified Needs Steps Taken Psychological First Aid Crisis Counseling Information & Referral Information Mitigation Follow up Assist Incident Command Activities when Appropriate Provide Support to other Responders

11 Resources Used

12 Training

13 Contact ERC For... Disaster Mental Health Response Natural Disasters Man Made Disasters Incidents of Community Impact Partnering for Preparedness Planning Preparedness Drills/Exercises Preparing Disaster Plans Including Mental Health Reinforcement of Existing Resources Support, Information, Referral and Resource Identification

14 How We are Organized New Jersey Division of Mental Health Services (NJDMHS) Disaster & Terrorism Branch Ocean County Department of Human Services Mental Health Board County Mental Health Administrator Ocean County Emergency Response Committee (Preparedness Planning Group for Disaster Response Crisis Counselors) ERC Liaisons (Preparedness Planning/Logistics Liaisons & Partners) Emergency Response Crisis Counselors FEMA Certified DMHS Credentialed EMAC Eligible Liaisons & Responders Include: Public Health, Law Enforcement, Schools, Faith Based Organizations, First Responders, Mental Health Agencies, Social Service Agencies, Children s Behavioral Health, Government Agencies, Private Citizens

15 Activation Information For Emergency Response Crisis Counseling Services Contact Monday Friday 8am 5pm Ocean County Human Services Tracy Maksel or Jill Perez After Hours/Weekends PESS Crisis Hotline Jim Romer or Joe Cuffari