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“Stay Connected”: Psychological Services for Retired Firefighters after 11 September 2001

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Jennifer Alvarez ,
Craig Rosen ,
Kim Davis ,
Greg Smith  and
Malachy Corrigan
Jennifer Alvarez*
Affiliation:
Center for Health Care Evaluation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, California, USA Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
Craig Rosen
Affiliation:
National Center for PTSD, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Manlo Park, California, USA Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
Kim Davis
Affiliation:
Fire Department of New York Counseling Service Unit, Fire Department of New York, New York City, New York, USA
Greg Smith
Affiliation:
Fire Department of New York Counseling Service Unit, Fire Department of New York, New York City, New York, USA
Malachy Corrigan
Affiliation:
Fire Department of New York Counseling Service Unit, Fire Department of New York, New York City, New York, USA
*
Jennifer Alvarez, PhD National Center for PTSD VA Palo Alto Health Care System 795 Willow Rd. (PTSD-334) Menlo Park, CA 94025 USA E-mail: jennifer.alvarez@med.va.gov
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Abstract

Introduction:

A large number of firefighters retired after 11 September 2001. These retirees were confronted with multiple challenges, including grief, trauma- related physical injuries and psychological distress, difficulties related to the transition of their roles, and deterioration of social support.

Objective:

The Fire Department of NewYork (FDNY) Counseling Service Unit's “Stay Connected” Program designed and implemented after 11 September 2001 is described in this report. This unique program was designed to usea combination of peer outreach and professional counseling to address the mental health needs of retiring firefighters and their families.

Methods:

Descriptive information about the intervention program was gathered through semi-structured interviews with Counseling Service Unit staff. Client satisfaction surveys were collected during three six-week periods.

Results:

Quantitative data indicate that clients rated their overall satisfaction with the clerical and counseling staff a perfect 4 out of 4. The report of their overall satisfaction with the services also was nearly at ceiling (3.99 out 4).The perceived helpfulness of the services in resolving the problems experienced by the clients increased significantly over time.Qualitative data indicate that peer involvement and intensive community outreach, i.e., social events, wellness activities, and classes, were integral to the success of the intervention.

Conclusions:

This project provided valuable lessons about how to develop and implement a “culturally competent”intervention program for public safety workers retiring after a disaster. Creative, proactive, non-traditional outreach efforts and leveraging peers for credibility and support were particularly important.

Keywords

counselingdisasteremergency workersfirefightersinterventionoutreachpublic safety workers
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 22 , Issue 1 , February 2007 , pp. 49 - 54
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2007

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