Citation

Castellano C, Plionis E. Brief Treat. Crisis Interv. 2006; 6(4): 326-336.

Affiliation

Cop-to-Cop Crisis Intervention Hotline, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. (ccaste17@aol.com).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/brief-treatment/mhl008

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Two distinct fields, crisis intervention (which targets civilian populations) and disaster mental health services (which targets first responders), have emerged in response to natural and man-made disasters. As a consequence of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, questions have been raised whether the occupational ecology of first responders has significantly changed. Two new concepts, the "high-risk rescuer" and the "rescuer-victim," are identified. Using three field cases, this paper describes and analyzes the application of three different crisis intervention models for law enforcement first responders during 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina: (a) psychological first aid, (b) critical incident stress management, and (c) the Federal Emergency Management Association/Substance Abuse Crisis Counseling Program. Implications for meeting the mental health needs of first responders post-9/11 and -Hurricane Katrina are discussed.