Discussion Question

Disaster Workers and Stress Alleviation

Individuals have a range of abilities which make them work efficiently in their work places. Resiliency is also one of the human abilities which refer to the skill where individuals continue their functions, both physically and mentally notwithstanding the stress their work might be imposing upon them (www.nwcphp.org).

Rescue or disaster workers face the most challenging work stressors. Recovery of the bodies, their identification, and managing the people at hand are few of the many problems faced by rescue workers. Owing to the immense responsibility, rescue workers hold, their own stresses, and their management is vital to the health and care of the disaster stricken people. Therefore, the resiliency and stress alleviation of the disaster workers is vital to the rescue profession.

At the organizational level, organizations conduct programs and run relaxation activities to alleviate the work stress. They provide and urge them to take breaks and gaps after a stressful time spent at the site and also arrange counseling sessions for the risk managers. Pre-disaster training of the workers also helps in reducing the work stress as the workers feel prepared and plan out their stress strategies. They are debriefed about the stress and nature of work they might have to face, in the wake of an emergency. Initial preparedness saves the last-minute hassles which in turn keep the workers relieved even in the face of a disaster.

At the individual level, workers also alleviate stresses by talking about them. Talking out loud and sharing the traumatic experience with the co-workers prove to be a vent for the emotional exhaustion. Critical Incident Stress Debriefing also helps in a powerful way to help relieve the work stress (Anonymous, 2001).

Steps for the Safety and Preparedness for Family, Clients, Personal and Professional Needs

Disaster preparedness is more pivotal than the disaster ...