Montgomery County Critical Incident Stress Management Team
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Montgomery County Critical Incident Stress Management Team |
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Establish
clear lines of authority and responsibility minimize stress by eliminating
confusion about who reports to whom |
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Provide
regular training on stress management techniques |
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Create
a facility evacuation plan and practice drills regularly |
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Provide
ongoing training to ensure that staff are thoroughly familiar with safety
procedures and policies |
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Develop
guidelines to help workers prepare for a major event |
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Maintain
an updated list of family members' contact information for each employee |
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Have
a pre-established plan for how employees will check on their families if
disaster strikes during work hours |
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Provide
a well-articulated chain of command |
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Define
the scope and limits of workers' decision-making authority |
EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE & LEADERSHIP
| Clear chain of command and reporting relationships |
| Available and accessible clinical supervisor |
| Orientation provided for all workers |
| Shifts no longer than 12 hours with 12 hours off |
| Briefings provided at beginning of shifts as workers exit and enter the operation |
| Necessary supplies available |
| Communication tools available |
CLEAR PURPOSE & GOALS
| Clearly defined goals and strategies appropriate to assignment |
FUNCTIONALLY DEFINED ROLES
| Staff oriented and trained with written role descriptions for each assignment setting |
TEAM SUPPORT
| Buddy system for support and monitoring stress reactions |
| Positive atmosphere of support and tolerance with "good job" said often |
PLAN FOR STRESS MANAGEMENT
| Workers' functioning assessed regularly |
| Workers rotated between low-, mid-, and high stress tasks |
| Breaks and time away from assignment encouraged |
| Education about signs and symptoms of worker stress and coping strategies |
| Individual and group defusing and debriefing provided |
| Exit plan for workers leaving the operation: debriefing, reentry information, opportunity to critique, and formal recognition for service |
U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services. A Guide to Managing Stress in Crisis
Response Professions. DHHS Pub. No. SMA 4113.
U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services.
Tips for Managing and Preventing Stress:
A Guide for Emergency and Disaster Response Workers. Center
for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration:
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Send e mail to cismmontco_at_verizon_dot_net with
questions or comments about this web site.
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