1. Matt Carter Sherry Cardinal

2. Responding to the Needs of First Responders in Troubled Times
Caring for the Caregivers

3. Learning Objectives Defing Anxiety Disorder
Define Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Identify PTSD
Identify At-Risk Occupations
Identify Reported Symptoms
Identify Beneficial Techniques to Reduce Stress

4. 1.1 Define Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress. It helps a person deal with a tense situation by helping one cope. But when anxiety becomes excessive and irrational it becomes a disorder.

5. Anxiety disorders can include:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Post traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

6. 1.2 Define Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Constant worries and fears that distract from day-to-day activities and leave a persistent feeling that something bad is about to happen.

7. 1.3 Identify Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
A type of anxiety disorder that is triggered by the involvement in or witness to an extremely traumatic event.

8. What is a Traumatic Event
Vary from person to person
Uncontrollable

9. 1.4 Identify at-risk occupations
...persons in emergency service fields are a population highly prone to suffering from PTSD, as a direct result of their work.
...involved in traumatic events through direct or indirect involvement on a daily basis.
PTSD affects both men and women.
...not only with “front-line” personnel but tele-communicators, dispatchers and support staff.

10. 1.5 Identify Reported Symptoms
Constant awareness of surroundings, hyper-vigilance.
Not wanting to be identified as law enforcement off duty, even with family and friends, avoidance, isolation.
Being concerned/irritated about use of force, being videoed, negative social media postings, paranoia, anger.
Attempting improved communication and engagement with public and fellow officers for a more positive outcome in a situation.
In a word: ANXIETY
Post Traumatic Stress
Cumulative Stress

12. Beneficial Techniques
Communication
Journal
Establish life priorities
Social life outside L.E.
Religion / spirituality
Plan for retirement

13. Outside Agency Assists
Deputy Darren Goforth Murder – HCSO
Officer Involved Shootings: Stafford, Rosenberg, & Fulshear PDs
Murder/Suicide: Meadows Place PD
Failed Rescue Attempt: 5 Children Die in Fire: Edna Fire Dept.
Officer Involved Shooting Palacios PD
Officer Involved Shooting: Lake Jackson Police, Fire and EMS Depts. Done in conjunction with Emergency Ministries ACIRT Team with Chaplain Paul Tabor.

15. Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office CISM Team
General Orders 2/1/2017

16. Matt Carter <redacted> Sherry Cardinal Sherry@criticalincidentstress.com