Caring for the Affected at Family Assistance Centers
Jennifer Stansberry Miller
May 28, 2025
In moments of crisis, a well-executed family assistance center can offer clarity, connection, and compassion that victims’ families and survivors need to begin making sense of loss and change. Family assistance centers provide resources for support services, updates on victim identification, assistance with repatriation of remains, and reunification efforts. Discover how tone, timing, setting, and cultural sensitivity significantly impact the psychological well-being of those affected.
Psychosocial Hazards: Preventing Human-Caused Disasters
I. David Daniels
May 28, 2025
Some of the greatest human-caused disasters in modern history can be attributed to unaddressed psychosocial hazards. Flawed safety cultures contribute to tragic outcomes in which concerns are not taken seriously and dissent is stifled. Learn how to take precautions against a preventable disaster.
Meeting the Psychosocial Needs of Child Survivors
Emily Heard
May 21, 2025
Without adequate support and resources, disasters can leave lasting psychological effects on children. In the United States, an estimated 14% of children experience a natural disaster during childhood. Providing psychosocial support is essential in helping them cope with these challenges, thereby building resilient communities.
How I Became an Accidental Disaster Mental Health Specialist
Adrienne J. Heinz
May 21, 2025
Dr. Adrienne Heinz and her young family have lived through multiple historic wildfires in Northern California. She decided to turn pain into purpose and mobilize community health leaders to build a mental health safety net for healing and recovery. The lessons from those experiences now serve as a guide and source of hope for other disaster-impacted communities.
Podcast – Seasonal Forecasts & Their Limitations With Dr. Philip Klotzbach
Philip Klotzbach
May 21, 2025
This is an interview with Philip Klotzbach, a podcast by Domestic Preparedness, May 22, 2025.
Philip Klotzbach, Ph.D., is a research scientist in the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University. Dr. Klotzbach developed the two-week forecasts currently being issued during peak months of the hurricane season between August and October. Learn how seasonal hurricane forecasts are developed and how emergency planners can use them effectively.
Physical and Mental Injuries in First Responders: Why Wait?
Pascal Rodier
May 14, 2025
First responders undergo intense physical training to ensure they are physically prepared for emergencies. Yet despite the high-stress nature of their work, mental fitness is not given the same priority. To truly support first responders, mental wellness must be fully integrated into recruit training programs and proactively addressed throughout their careers.
Not Lost in Translation: A Multilingual Corps Approach
Diana Sanchez-Vega
May 14, 2025
Disaster survivors and responders often face psychological hazards like acute stress disorder, depression, and post-traumatic stress. These issues are worsened in multilingual communities, where language barriers hinder communication and delay aid. Effectively addressing these challenges goes beyond basic translation or ad hoc interpreting to address the whole community.
Disaster Stress Management in an Emergency Operations Center
Mary Schoenfeldt
May 7, 2025
Disasters affect responders and community members, but they also bring trauma to those working inside emergency operations centers. Distance from the scene does not create a shield from stress. Secondary traumatic stress can impair leadership, so managing this stress is vital for effective emergency response.
A Holistic Strategy for Responders’ Well-Being
Camilo Olivieri
May 7, 2025
First responders and emergency managers face constant, high-pressure stress from trauma, long hours, and critical decisions. This often leads to chronic stress, increasing risks of heart disease, mental health issues, and substance abuse. Their ability to help others depends on prioritizing their own well-being through proactive self-care.
