Staff and patient safety and wellness are at the heart of preparing for emergencies. This includes anticipating and responding to their behavioral health needs. During this session, participants will review the impacts of stress and trauma on staff and survivors. After going over potential stress triggers and reactions, participants will determine through small and large group activities the stressors likely to impact staff and types of stress or trauma expected in patients.

Participants will then explore how to incorporate disaster behavioral health into disaster plans to address the identified stressors and reactions. Building on standard sections within Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) and Continuity of Operations Plans (COOPs), this session will provide suggestions on areas that can be expanded or developed to incorporate staff resilience building and behavioral health response. Group discussions will aid in communal learning and problem solving to help participants determine what may work for their health center. Activities with drafted plan language or planning tools may also be included within small or large group activities.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify stressors, trauma reactions, and their potential impacts on staff and/or patients.
• Examine how disasters may affect staff or patients’ behavioral health.
• Collaborate with fellow participants to assess how to address behavioral health needs in disaster plans.
• Determine ways to incorporate behavioral health into emergency operations plans and/or continuity of operations plans.

Presented by Susan Schmitz, MAIDP, Independent Consultant

CCALAC Member and Affiliate fee: $50

Non-member fee: $100

Complimentary for CCALAC EM Roundtable Members

Register Now!

Instructor Biography:

Susan Schmitz is a disaster preparedness, response, and recovery professional with 17 years of experience who blends operational expertise and research into planning and training. With a MA in International Disaster Psychology, she has a passion for integrating behavioral health into emergency management. Ms. Schmitz is currently an independent contractor and dedicates much of her time to project management for the Western Regional Alliance for Pediatric Emergency Management (WRAP-EM) and the Pediatric Pandemic Network (PPN). In her past work life, Ms. Schmitz held positions at private consultancy firms, Veterans Health Administration, nonprofits, and educational institutions. She has worked with hospitals, community clinics, and public health on projects to strengthen internal and community resilience.