Stress Prevention and Management Approaches for Rescue Workers in the Aftermath of Terrorist Acts

Why are these types of approaches important for the rescue workers?

What types of stress management and prevention should be addressed?

What are some suggestions for organizational approaches?

What are some suggestions for individual approaches?

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Why are these types of approaches important for the rescue workers?

Engaging in rescue and recovery efforts in the wake of terrorist acts is inevitably stressful for rescue workers. The long hours, breadth of needs and demands, ambiguous roles, and exposure to human suffering can adversely affect even the most experienced professional. While the work is personally rewarding and challenging, it also has the potential for affecting workers in harmful ways. Too often, the stress experienced by rescue workers is addressed as an afterthought. With a little effort, however, steps can be taken to minimize the effects of stress.

What types of stress management and prevention should be addressed?

Stress prevention and management should be addressed in two critical contexts: the organization and the individual. Adopting a preventive perspective allows both workers and organizations to anticipate stressors and shape responses, rather than simply reacting to a crisis when it occurs.

What are some suggestions for organizational approaches?

(1) Provide effective management structure and leadership. Elements include:

Clear chain of command and reporting relationships.

Available and accessible supervisors.

Disaster orientation for all workers.

Shills of no longer than 12 hours, followed by 12 hours off.

Briefings at the beginning of shills as workers enter the operation.

Communication tools (e.g., cell phones, radios, etc.).

(2) Define clear purpose and goals.

(3) Define clear intervention goals and strategies appropriate to assignment setting.

(4) Define roles by function.

(5) Orient and train staff with written role descriptions for each assignment setting. When setting is under the jurisdiction of another agency (e.g., Red Cross, FEMA), inform workers of each agency's role, contact persons, and expectations.

(6) Nurture team support.

(7) Create a buddy system to support and monitor stress reactions. Promote a positive atmosphere of support and tolerance with frequent praise.

(8) Develop a plan for stress management. For example:

Assess workers' functioning regularly.
Rotate workers between low-, mid-, and high-stress tasks.
Encourage breaks and time away from assignment
Educate about signs and symptoms of worker stress and coping strategies.
Provide individual and group defusing and debriefing.
Develop an exit plan for workers leaving the operation, including a debriefing, reentry information, opportunity to critique, and formal recognition for service.

What are some suggestions for individual approaches?

(1) Manage workload.

Set priority levels for tasks with a realistic work plan.
Delegate existing workloads so workers are not attempting disaster response in addition to their usual jobs.

(2) Balance lifestyle.

Get physical exercise and stretch muscles when possible.
Eat nutritiously and avoid excessive junk food, caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco.

Get adequate sleep and rest, especially on longer assignments.
Maintain contact and connection with primary social supports.

(3) Apply stress reduction techniques.

Reduce physical tension by taking deep breaths, calming self through meditation, walking mindfully, etc.
Use time off for exercise, reading, listening to music, taking a bath, talking to family, or getting a special meal to recharge batteries.

Talk about emotions and reactions with coworkers during appropriate times.

(4) Practice self-awareness.

Recognize and heed early warning signs for stress reactions.
Accept that one may not be able to self-assess problematic stress reactions.
Avoid over identification with survivors'/victims' grief and trauma, which may interfere with discussing painful material.

Understand differences between professional helping relationships and friendships.
Examine personal prejudices and cultural stereotypes.
Be mindful that vicarious traumatization or compassion fatigue may develop
Recognize when a personal disaster experience or loss interferes with effectiveness.

For more information on responding to mental health needs in times of crises, or to find out about local mental health services, contact 1-800-789-2647.

KEN01-0112
04/03

Please note that this online publication has been abridged from the printed version.