First Responders: Self Care, Wellness, Health, Resilience, and Recovery

How can first responders deal with the stress they feel while helping their communities respond to and recover from a disaster or terrorist attack? How can first responders possibly prepare for the threats and pressures they will face? And how can first responders help their families?

NJCPHP invites you to review our presentation: “First Responders: Self Care, Wellness, Health, Resilience, and Recovery; Dealing with Stress: Personal, Department/Job, Home & Family in the Aftermath of Disasters.” With funding from the New Jersey Disaster Critical Incident Stress Response program, a program of the NJ Dept. of Law and Public Safety, this presentation was provided to New Jersey first responders in September 2005 by Philip T. McCabe, CSW, CAS, CDVC.

Click Here to view the presentation online in html format

Please RIGHT CLICK here and select "SAVE AS" to download a copy of the PowerPoint Presentation in Quicktime Format (17 MB).

This program is designed to:

• Help first responders better understand stress and critical incidents
• Increase awareness of self care and helpful resources
• Recognize symptoms in one’s self and in others

Resources

Contact Information for New Jersey First Responders
New Jersey First Responders: 1-866-4-U-NJ-1ST
State Police employees: 1-800-FOR-NJSP (1-800-467-6577)
Cop 2 Cop: 1-866-Cop2Cop (1-866-267-2267)
Fire and EMS: 1-866-NJFDEMS (1-866-653-3367)

Veterans Mental Health Hotline : 1-866-VETS-NJ-4

World Trade Center Rescuer Victims Support Program (WTC-RSVP): 1-866-WTC-RSVP

Alcoholics Anonymous: 1-800-245-1377 or (908) 687-8566 24 Hours a Day/7 Days a Week

Narcotics Anonymous Meeting & Information: 732-933-0462, Helpline: 1-800-992-0401

Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey: 1-800-GAMBLER

New Jersey Self-Help Group Clearinghouse:
In New Jersey: 1-800-367-6274, Outside New Jersey: 973-326-6789

Critical Incident Stress Information (adapted from the International Critical Stress Foundation, Inc.)
You have experienced a traumatic event or critical incident (any event that causes unusually strong emotional reactions that have the potential to interfere with the ability to function normally). Even though the event may be over, you may now be experiencing some strong emotional or physical reactions. It is very common, in fact quite normal, for people to experience stress reactions when they have passed through a horrible event.

The signs and symptoms of a stress reaction may last a few days, a few weeks, a few months, or longer, depending on the severity of the traumatic event. The understanding and support of loved ones usually cause the stress reactions to pass more quickly. Occasionally, the traumatic event is so painful that professional assistance may be necessary. This does not imply craziness or weakness. It simply indicates that the particular event was just too powerful for the person to manage by himself/herself.

Things to Try

• WITHIN THE FIRST 24 – 48 HOURS periods of appropriate physical exercise, alternated with relaxation will alleviate some of the physical reactions
• Structure your time; keep busy
• Talk to people; talk is the most healing medicine
• Restrict overuse of drugs or alcohol
• Maintain as normal a schedule as possible
• Spend time with others
• Help your co-workers as much as possible by sharing feelings and checking out how they are doing
• Give yourself permission to feel rotten
• Do things that feel good to you
• Do make as many daily decisions as possible that will give you a feeling of control over your life, i.e., if someone asks you what you want to eat, answer even if you’re not sure
• Get plenty or rest
• Don’t try to fight recurring thoughts, dreams, or flashbacks—they’re normal and will decrease with time and become less painful
• Eat well-balanced and regular meals (even if you don’t feel like it)

For Family Members & Friends

• Listen carefully
• Spend time with the traumatized person
• Offer your assistance and a listening ear if he/she has not asked for help
• Reassure him/her that he/she is safe
• Help with everyday tasks like cleaning, cooking, caring for the family, minding children
• Give him/her some private time
• Don’t take his/her anger or other feelings personally
• Don’t tell him/her that he/she is “lucky it wasn’t worse.” Instead, say that you are sorry such an event has occurred and you want to understand and assist him/her.