1. Disaster Response – Texas Wildfire Aftermath

2. The Disaster Strikes Labor Day Weekend
Within the first day, 290 homes and 5,000 acres are destroyed
4,500 Persons are evacuated from Bastrop County during the first week of the wildfires
By the end of week one, 950 homes and 11,000 acres are destroyed
By the end of the declared active fires, 1,600 homes and 34,000 acres are destroyed

3. The Unique Nature of this Disaster
Sustained disastrous effect – Wildfires flared from September 4 through October 10
Multiple evacuations
Number of lives lost
Personal loss amid First Responders
Immediate local response – desire to keep it local
Resiliency of Bastrop County
It was personal

4. Plan for the Response
Federal Disaster Declaration Received September 9
Immediate Services Program (ISP) grant application submitted on September 23
$207,249 approved for Crisis Counseling Services
As of September 30, BTCS has made 757 contacts
Community Survivors
First Responders
Disaster Workers
Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response – CASPER
My Disaster Recovery Research Project with University of Colorado, Colorado Springs

5. Innovation Leading the Response
Disaster Services Van from the Gulf Coast Center – Equipped with Televideo Conferencing Capability
Electronic Surveys of Persons Affected by the Disaster
Therapy Dog
AccuDetox Services
Mental Health Deputy
Donation Page on Website
Communication via Facebook

6. Next Steps Regular Services Crisis Counseling Program (RSP)
Grant application due to SAMHSA November 8, 2011
Provide funding to support 36 weeks of Crisis Counseling Services – Proposed Budget $544,000
Community Canvassing
Individual & Group Crisis Counseling
Long Term Recovery Committees
Coalition Building & Networking
Recovery4Teens – On-line adolescent trauma site

7. Lessons Learned Importance of staff debriefing and self-care
Importance of community relationships
Importance of being identified as a key community provider
Importance of keeping the media informed
Importance of keeping our legislators informed
Importance of being integrated into Incident Command System
There is a need for disaster behavioral health services