EMERGENCY SERVICES
Resources for First Responders and their families.
When Helping Hurts: PTSD in First Responders
Author: Paul Barratt, Lyn Stephens & Mick Palmer
Date: June, 2018
PTSD is a debilitating and often chronic mental health condition associated with high levels of distress. Because the trauma associated with PTSD shatters our basic assumptions about the world, it can have a marked effect of first responders who encounter such trauma on a near constant basis.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Emergency Services Workers
Author: Collaborative
Date: October, 2015
Surveys consistently show that emergency workers are one of the most valued and trusted occupational groups, yet there is an increasing realisation that emergency work comes at great personal cost, including exposure to repeated trauma, and most notably PTSD. The guidelines presented in this study seek to inform and compliment tackling the complex task of ensuring the psychological wellbeing of our first responders.
Early Mental Health Intervention for First Responders
Author: Robbie Adler-Tapia
The work of caring for the emotional and physical needs of others takes its toll on first responders. This paper focuses on the clinical skills for providing emergency mental health services for the treatment of professionals who are routinely exposed to trauma in the line of duty, and the development of comprehensive and complimentary treatment plans.
First Responders Trauma Intervention and Suicide Prevention
Author: Centre for Suicide Prevention
Date: 2015
First responders are considered to be at greater risk of acute stress disorder and post traumatic stress disorder that most other occupations. Research shows an increased link between repeated exposure to traumatic events with ASD and PTSD, and the potentially fatal consequences for our first responders.
Healthy Minds, Safe Communities
Author: Robert Oliphant (Chair)
Date: 2016
A report of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security on supporting public safety officers through a national strategy for operational stress injuries.
Preventing Suicide: A Resource for Police, Firefighters and other First Line Responders
Author: World Health Organisation
Date: 2009
The risk of suicide is a serious public health problem. It demands our attention, but its prevention and control, unfortunately are no easy task. This booklet is written by first responders who frequently deal with people in psychological distress, and includes strategies for protecting a person experiencing an acute mental health crisis, as well as protecting our first responders.
Impact of Work on the Well-Being of Police Officers and Firefighters
Author: Basinska Beata & Wiciak Izabela
Date: 2013
Work is one of the most important spheres of human functioning, and has a significant impact on overall health and well-being in the individual. In this study the authors examine the relationship between operational police and firefighters and their work, both in a positive and negative light.
Strategies to Manage Challenges for EMS Families
Author: Juliet M. Vogel, Alan J. Cohen, Mandy S. Habib, Barbara Johnson & Brian D. Massey
Date: 2005
A parenting survival guide for emergency medical services, and the difficulties of balancing a challenging career with a family.
Exposure to Human Tragedy, Empathy and Trauma in Ambulance Paramedics
Author: Cheryl Regehr, Gerald Goldberg & Judy Hughes
Paramedics are exposed to events involving human pain and suffering on a daily basis, many of which are the result of violent confrontations. At times, paramedics can form a connection between these events and their own lives. This study explores the links between these events and trauma responses in ambulance officers.
Frontline Stress Behind the Scenes: Emergency Medical Dispatchers
Author: Collaborative
Date: September, 2007
Literature on occupational stress among first responders often emphasises the direct contact with distress, injury, violence and death. The role of the emergency dispatcher is often considered more peripheral, but research suggests that the rates of post traumatic symptoms in dispatchers may be 2-3 times higher that in the general population. This in-depth study explores the hidden truths of mental health among emergency services dispatchers.
Police Dispatcher Stress and Resilience
Author: Ryan A. Reddin, Vincent B. Van Hasselt, Monty T. Baker, Jean G. Larned & Laura Southgate
A study of the degree and types of operational and organisational stressors experienced by both sworn and non-sworn police dispatchers, and the appropriate measures that can be implemented to help dispatchers better cope with such stressors.
Is Dispatching to a Traffic Accident as Stressful as Being in One?
Author: Benjamin Trachik, Madeline Marks, Clint Bowers, Greg Scott, Chris Olola & Isabel Gardett
Date: 2015
Emergency dispatchers are exposed to potentially traumatic events at rates that likely exceed that of emergenct first responders. This original research explores acute stress disorder, secondary traumatic stress and occupational burnout in emergency dispatchers.
Stress and the 911 Dispatcher
Author: Kim Rigden
Date: August, 2009
The emergency dispatcher is the vital link in the first responder chain, providing clear communication between agencies and affecting the safety of police first responders and the public. In this blog article, the author shares their personal experiences of stress as an emergency dispatcher, and explores self care time to maintan a healthy work/life balance.
A Holistic Review of the Health and Wellness Programs of Victorian Emergency Services
Author: Julia Baum, Shauna-Marie Hendricks, Daniel Lanier
Date: May 2, 2011
A holistic review designed to assist emergency workers in Victoria, Australia by conducting interviews and analasys of various wellness programs, and identify areas for improvement.
Exploring the Psychological Health of Emergency Dispatch Centre Operatives
Author: Collaborative
Although they are removed from the scene of the incident, emergency dispatchers work in an environment characterised by many of the same risks encountered by front line responders. From rapid risk assessment, time-limited decision making, and managing unexpected developments, this study explores the psychological health of emergency dispatch centre operatives and their interactions with other areas of the emergency services environment.
The Value of Effective, Recurrent Dispatcher Training
Author: David Blake & Lesli Prado
Errors at the dispatch level can result in deadly consequences for both first responders and the public. Creating effective training in not only dispatch proceedures, but also in positive self care and resilience not only makes sense, but also saves lives.
Shift Work Fact Sheef
Author: Sleep Disorders Australia
Date: 2006
A brief summary of the effects of shift work and what steps you can take to ensure you remain healthy and rested for both work and leisure.
Shift Work Sleep Disorder: Prevalence and Consequences Beyond that of Symptomatic Day Workers
Author: Christopher Drake, Timothy Roehrs, Gary Richardson, James Walsh & Thomas Roth
Date: September, 2004
A study of the prevalence and consequences of shift work sleep disorder in comparison to the difficulties experienced by day workers.
Sleep Disorders AustraliaShift Work
Author: Janice Halpern, Robert G. Maunder, Brian Schwartz & Maria Gurevich
Date: 2010
A fact sheet on the effects of shift work on health and lifestyle, and how to mitigate some of these difficulties.
First Responders: Behavioural Health Concerns, Emergency Response, and Trauma
Author: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Date: May, 2018
It is estimated that 30 percent of first responders develop behavioural health conditions including depression and PTSD, compared with about 20 percent of the general population. This research paper explores behavioural health conditions in first responders wlong with the risk factors and possible interventions that reduce the risks
Emergency Services personnel and PTSD
Author: Phoenix Australia Centre for Pasttraumatic Mental Health
An information sheet addressing PTSD presentation, assessment and treatment recommendations for practitioners working with emergency services personnel.