How can critical incident response teams support each other during a crisis?
Critical incidents are situations that pose a serious threat to the safety, health, or well-being of individuals or communities. They can include natural disasters, mass violence, terrorism, accidents, or other traumatic events. Critical incident response teams (CIRTs) are groups of professionals who provide psychological support, crisis intervention, and debriefing to the affected populations. However, CIRTs also face significant challenges and stressors during their work, such as exposure to trauma, emotional exhaustion, ethical dilemmas, and organizational pressures. How can CIRTs support each other during a crisis and prevent burnout, compassion fatigue, or secondary traumatic stress? Here are some tips and strategies to help CIRTs cope and thrive in their roles.