Transcript Section 6 - Post-Incident Rehab Considerations

Section 6 - Post-Incident Rehab
Considerations
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Describe the procedures for terminating a
rehab operation.
Explain the elements of a critical incident
stress management program that apply to
rehab operations.
Explain how to monitor postincident
hydration and nutrition.
Objective 6-1
Describe the procedures for
terminating a rehab operation.
Decreasing the Rehab Function at an
Incident
• Remember: Some of the
hardest work is done by the
small numbers of responders
at the end of the incident.
• Rehab resources can be
scaled back as responders
leave the scene.
• All rehab functions must be
able to be carried out until
the end of the incident.
Objective 6-2
Explain the elements of a
critical incident stress
management program that
apply to rehab operations.
CISM Goals
• Minimize the emotional impact of critical
incidents on emergency responders.
• Increase fire fighters’ resistance and resilience to
this type of stress.
• Prevent harmful effects following critical incidents
by working with response personnel at or near the
time of such incidents.
• Prevent any chronic effects, such as posttraumatic stress disorder, through the use of
follow-up care and employee assistance programs.
CISM Benefits to the Department
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Decreased absenteeism
Decreased physical ailments
Increased morale
Improved decision making ability from reduced
stress
• Reduction of poor coping strategies (e.g.,
substance abuse)
• Longer retention of qualified personnel
• Reduction of psychological problems
CISM Approaches
• Assistance should always be offered informally.
• Interventions near the time of the incident include
the following.
– Informal discussion/support at the company level
– Defusing with a behavioral health professional or other
CISM team member
– Formal debriefing with a behavioral health professional
and other CISM team members
• Long-term care will be done by licensed mental
health professionals.
• Only the earliest portions of the CISM program
might be carried out in a rehab setting
Defusing in Rehab
• An informal process to reduce
immediately the pressure and
anxiety surrounding a critical
incident.
• Not intended to encourage venting
feelings.
• Must be guided by the needs of the
emergency response personnel.
• Often, reliable information about
the outcome of an unknown event,
such as the condition of an injured
fire fighter, is sufficient to reduce
anxiety.
Objective 6-3
Explain how to monitor
postincident hydration and
nutrition.
Post-Incident Rehab Functions
• Drink an additional 12 to 32
ounces more within the 2 hours.
• A properly hydrated person
should have a reasonable
volume of urine output and that
urine should be relatively clear
and odor-free.
• Firefighters should also monitor
themselves and their fellow
firefighters for delayed
problems.
• Serious medical conditions can
occur as long as 24 hours
following the activity.