PFA Volunteer Responder Program City of Houston/Harris County

State Mandate for Local Emergency Planning  The Texas Disaster Act The basic emergency management responsibilities of local governments and state agencies and officials are outlined in Chapter 418 of the Texas Government Code, the Executive Order of the Governor Relating to Emergency Management, and Title 37, Part I, Chapter 7 (Emergency Management) of the Texas Administrative Code.

Emergency Management Plan  Each local or interjurisdictional emergency management agency is required to prepare and keep current an emergency management plan that provides for disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.  The plan must contain clear and complete statements of the emergency responsibilities of local agencies and officials.  The plan must meet the state planning standards promulgated by the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM).

Emergency Planning Documents  Emergency planning documents consist of the basic plan, supporting functional annexes, and, where appropriate, appendices. The plan and its supporting documents should answer the questions of what, why, who, when, where, and how. 1. Basic Plan. The basic plan should be a relatively brief "umbrella" document that cites appropriate legal authority for emergency operations, outlines the jurisdiction’s emergency organization and policies, provides a general concept for emergency operations, and assigns general responsibilities for emergency planning and response operations to specific departments, agencies, and groups. 2. Annexes and Appendices. The basic plan is amplified by annexes that describe how certain emergency functions will be performed. The primary audience for these annexes is those who will perform the function covered by the annex. Annexes may include appendices that provide additional information pertinent to emergency functions.

Standardized Local Planning Documents  The Basic Plan  Plan Annexes: Annex A: Warning Annex B: Communications Annex C: Shelter & Mass Care Annex D: Radiological Protection Annex E: Evacuation Annex F: Firefighting or Fire & Rescue Annex G: Law Enforcement Annex H: Health & Medical Service Annex I: Emergency Public Information Annex J: Recovery Annex K: Public Works & Engineering Annex L: Utilities Annex M: Resource Management Annex N: Direction & Control Annex O: Human Services Annex P: Hazard Mitigation Annex Q: Hazardous Materials & Oil Spill Response Annex R: Search & Rescue Annex S: Transportation Annex T: Donations Management Annex U: Legal Annex V: Terrorist Incident Response Annex W: Debris Management

Annex O – Human Services  Provides for emergency public services during an emergency or disaster, including provision of food, water, and clothing and disaster mental health services  “Some disaster survivors and emergency responders may need mental health services in the aftermath of a disaster. Many seeking such help can obtain aid from existing local mental health programs and religious groups. As the demand for such services may increase significantly after a disaster and some local providers may become disaster survivors, there may be a need for additional mental health resources.”

Opportunity Knocks… Since it is the responsibility of the City of Houston and Harris County to ensure that mental health services are provided to their citizens in need in the aftermath of a disaster, the two jurisdictions have collaborated to establish the PFA Volunteer Responder program to provide these services immediately.

Flow Diagram: City of Houston and Harris County PFA Volunteer Responder Coordination

What is PFA?  Psychological First Aid (PFA) was developed by the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network  Five basic aspects: Make face-to-face contact with the survivor Explore the dimensions of the problem Examine alternative solutions Assist in taking concrete actions Make provisions for follow-up

PFA as an Intervention  Psychological First Aid: Aids individuals during disasters and acts of terrorism by providing practical support and assistance Aims to reduce initial distress and foster short and long-term adaptive functioning Emphasizes developmentally and culturally appropriate interventions for survivors by providing rapid assessments

Eight “Core Actions” 1. Contact and Engagement GOAL: To respond to contacts initiated by survivors, or to initiate contacts in a nonintrusive, compassionate, and helpful manner 2. Safety and Comfort GOAL: To enhance immediate and ongoing safety, and provide physical and emotional comfort 3. Stabilization (if needed) GOAL: To calm and orient emotionally overwhelmed or disoriented survivors 4. Information Gathering: Current Needs and Concerns GOAL: To identify immediate needs and concerns, gather additional information, and tailor Psychological First Aid interventions

Eight “Core Actions” 5. Practical Assistance GOAL: To offer practical help to survivors in addressing immediate needs and concerns 6. Connection with Social Supports GOAL: To help establish brief or ongoing contacts with primary support persons and other sources of support, including family members, friends, and community helping resources 7. Information on Coping GOAL: To provide information about stress reactions and coping to reduce distress and promote adaptive functioning 8. Linkage with Collaborative Services GOAL: To link survivors with available services needed at the time or in the future

Who Can Volunteer?  Anyone interested in assisting and supporting disaster survivors  Licensed or unlicensed professionals  No formal education in psychology and/or counseling required

Things to Consider…  Personal considerations Your comfort level with:  Disaster relief  Working with survivors displaying an array of emotional responses  Being in chaotic, unpredictable environments  Assisting people from diverse cultures, ethnicities, developmental levels and faith backgrounds

Things to Consider…  Your current health Can you endure physically challenging conditions? Have you experienced any recent emotional or psychological challenges? Have you had any experiences with loss or negative life events (past or present)?  Your family situation Is your Family Emergency Plan up to date? Is your family prepared for your absence? Who will take care of your family responsibilities while you are volunteering as a PFA Responder?

Things to Consider…  Your work situation Is your employer supportive? Do you have a flexible work schedule? Will you be willing and able to help staff shifts up to 8-hours per day?  Preparedness to engage in self-care and self-monitoring Are you aware of secondary stress reactions?  difficulty sleeping, over-eating/under-eating  irritability, anger, and frustration Are you prepared to engage in physically and emotionally challenging work?

What is Required of Volunteers?  A 4½-hour classroom-based PFA training conducted by mental health experts followed by two 1-hour discussion-based exercises via conference calls a few weeks after the PFA training -OR- For licensed mental health professionals, an on-line interactive PFA course – at  NIMS training (on-line): IS 700, 100, and 200 at  Signed liability waiver & confidentiality agreement  Background check  Participation in exercises and refresher training throughout the year  A desire to assist in time of need

How will PFA Responders be Activated?  Will be contacted by an automated system or team leader either pre- or post-disaster  Will be assigned to a City of Houston or Harris County mass-care site (POD, comfort station, RLR, interim shelter, etc.)  Will receive “just-in-time” training to include: PFA review Triage and referral processes Facility orientation

Why Volunteer?  Provide support for people in need  Learn a valuable skill through PFA training that can be applied to any setting  Receive CEUs Social work Psychology Counseling  Make a difference in the lives of others!

Interested?  If you are interested in becoming a PFA Volunteer Responder, please apply on-line at:  For more information, please contact: City of Houston: Bureau of Public Health Preparedness Houston Department of Health and Human Services Harris County: Risk Management Services MHMRA Legal and Risk Management Department