What is Trauma Part 1: The Traumatic Incident

As peer supporters we need to be aware of the stressors that impact our professions. This especially comes to play with major stressors such as incidents we respond to. Having a list of potentially traumatic incidents to refer to so you can follow up is beneficial for any peer supporter.

Some incidents that may cause trauma to first responders (Wall, 2012):

• Catastrophic loss of life

• Incidents involving children

• Individuals with significant blood loss or horrible pain

• The death of a fellow first responder

• Presence of emotionally-evocative contrasting details (i.e., a “Just Married” sign on a car in which the newlywed occupants have been killed)

• Preventable tragedies involving human error

• Events involving unknown substances or causes

• Conditions of prolonged uncertainty, where the worst is yet to come (i.e., aftershocks of an earthquake)

• Prolonged contact with dead/injured

• Loss of life following intense rescue efforts

• Unusual or distressing sights or sounds (i.e. falling bodies at Ground Zero)

• Lack of opportunity for effective action (i.e. the search for bodies at Ground Zero)

• Knowing the victim

• Family members on the scene

References

Wall, Erin. (2012). Self-Care Practices and Attitudes Toward CISD and Seeking Mental Health Services Among Firefighters: A Close Look at a Mid-Sized Midwestern Urban City. Retrieved from Sophia, the St. Catherine University repository website: https://sophia.stkate.edu/msw_papers/99