Managing Traumatic Stress: A Tool for Emergency Responders and Leaders

Emergency responders (ER) are exposed to traumatic incidents as a direct consequence of their occupational duties. This increases the likelihood of them suffering a deterioration in their mental health. An ER will inevitably play some part in managing a cardiac arrest, which has around a 90% chance of resulting in death globally. Witnessing death is explicitly listed as a qualifying stressor for a PTSD diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR). Conditions such as PTSD are potentially devastating for ER’s personal and work life. Understanding the neurobiology involved when an individual is exposed to a difficult incident is crucial. It allows one to acknowledge the early signs of acute stress, be prepared with personal, tried and tested coping strategies, and have the confidence to recognize when professional input is needed. The requirement for visible and accessible organizational leaders, the need to normalize psychological reactions that are commonly experienced by ERs and having established peer support systems are all highlighted in recent British Psychological Society (2021) guidance as being positive steps for the health and wellbeing of ER.