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Written Assignment 6
Abstract
This article focuses on the role played by the first responder in dealing with a crisis situations. It elaborates on various levels of an emergency situation and explains the resources and time required to address each level. On the same note, it describes the four dimensions in the perspective of a crisis like fire. In addition, it explains who the first responder is and also gives examples. It further explains what constitutes a crisis and a way to address such situations.
Written Assignment 6
First responder refers to a generic word which implies the first response to reach a scene of an accident or calamities, for example, the responders such as a police, emergency medical service and fire brigade. It is vital for them to have accessible interoperable means of communication to facilitate their rescue mission to those people who need attention under emergency conditions. Crisis intervention is described as a temporary, supportive and active entry into life circumstances of a person or a group in case of emergencies. This article will, therefore, focus on the four dimensions of the continuum intervention by a first responder (Federal Communications Commission, 2013).
Massive scale disasters will quickly overwhelm the capability of the local government as well as the state. Therefore, an effective response to such a situation assumes integrating state and local agencies together with the federal colleagues, hence facilitating the flow of required resources and knowledge. To date, a presidential directive was realized as a section of the plan, which is meant to organize and curb the harm of crisis events. In line with this, government has formed a National Exercise Program, which evaluates and tests federal, local and state integration and preparedness to handle natural or manmade disasters (Federal Communications Commission, 2013).
There are various levels of emergency responses, and each level requires a different kind of intervention by the first responder. For example, in case of level one, which involves little department or building occurrences, the accident could be handled through the responding service unit; for instance; cleanup of a chemical spill by the Environmental Health and Safety. Level two implies building occurrences, which could be handled by staffs within the institution or with little outside support. The level two occurrences are commonly one dimension events of short time, which create little impact to the community and the neighboring space, for example, a minor fire. The level three emergencies are taken as crises that affect people instead of systems or property. For instance, suicide, sexual assault, bomb threat etc. Level four consist of significant emergencies that cause harm to a sizable portion within the community (Oxford University, 2004).
The level four occurrences could be single or multi hazard conditions and frequently need considerable plus timely coordination from the internal community, as well as the external community. This emergency consists of imminent happening that could lead to a serious disaster within the community. Examples include airplane crash, major fires, severe storms, as well as water contamination. It may also include death or trauma. The level five is the most severe catastrophe that impact on the whole community, as well as its surrounding. Immediate response to disaster, especially of the multi-hazard dimension, is mostly the response capacity of the community and the local emergency response agencies such as police, fire fighters, among others. (Bryn Mawr College, 2008).
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When this crisis occurs, people are faced with a burden that they cannot bear. A crisis could also be referred to as a situation or an event that is perceived as intolerable challenging, which exceeds peoples available resources and a coping mechanism. Therefore, crisis intervention offers a chance for clients to acquire new skills for handling emergency and, at the same time, identifying, enhancing and mobilizing those people that already posses the skills. The social economic status, the nature of crisis and availability of emotion help determine the time that individual will take to resolve emergency situation and resume regular functioning (Roginsk, 2006).
The first dimension of the continuum of intervention by the first responder is to identify the occurrence nature and location. This initial stage in addressing a situation in a scientific perspective is to describe the problem. Emergency initial reaction starts with understanding the event and the exact location where this event has occurred. For example, in case of a fire situation, the first responder must know the nature of fire and extent of the fire, as well as the location. Through knowing the location, the responder may evaluate the shortest and most accessible route to this location as there would be barriers to reach the destination. This knowledge also helps the responder to come well prepared depending on the nature of the fire. Although, resources and priorities of work are different in versatile situations (in regard to natural and artificial factors), the methodology applied does not change. It also makes responders aware of what medicals attention could be required, as well as drugs and modes of treatment (Oxford University, 2004).
The second dimension involves creating psychological contact to develop rapport. This is achieved by conveying acceptance and respect to the client. The first responder is expected to establish a firm therapeutic relationship with clients. This is important as it helps the client to feel at ease and convey the required information to the first responder, which may be helpful in providing help to people in case they are trapped. For instance, when fire breaks everyone gets tensed, and some people may fail to communicate. The first responder requires such communication so as to establish if there are other survivals that require his or her help. In addition, the responder must exhibit a nonjudgmental attitude plus neutrality when getting information from the client. This trait helps him or her to form an assumption that is real. Thus, this stage or dimension makes the work of the first responder crucial in addressing the crisis properly (Oxford University, 2004).
The third level is to survey and describe the dimension (scope) of the crisis or problem. This involves looking into any challenges or issues that the client could have faced, moreover, precipitating the crisis; this will ultimately offer essential insight of the current problem situation. This dimension is an extension of the second dimension and emphasis on a clear understanding of the crisis. With prior knowledge and good insight, the responder becomes fully aware of how the situation that he or she is dealing with looks like. Therefore, he or she evaluates the methodology to deploy when addressing a particular crisis. For example, in cases when there is an outbreak of fire, responders need to determine the level of emergency and the required resources and time to address the crisis effectively (Oxford University, 2004).
The last dimension focuses on promoting and exploring of emotions and feelings of the clients. This could be realized through actively paying attention to the client and giving responses in an encouraging manner. This helps the client especially if the client has been traumatized. The clients can regain their composure as well as their normal state through the encouraging and supportive role played by the first responder. In addition, paraphrasing and reflection also make a contribution to the positive communication with the client. Reflection ensures that the client is able to accept that the event has occurred and prepares them to cope with the results and consequences of the situation. This stage is important as it determines the time and extent of attention that the client will require due to the pain and grief inflicted by the accident. For instance, when people are faced with a traumatic situation, fire the images of the event still remain vivid in their mind. Therefore, by reflecting on this problem the client or victim of fire is able to accept the reality (Oxford University, 2004).
In conclusion, it is evident that hazardous situation will always befall man wherever he is. Therefore, quick and effective means should be set to ensure that the survivals are given the required attention. The people charged with this responsibility are the first responders who must deploy the four dimensions of the continuum of intervention to address a crisis (Federal Communications Commission, 2013).
