PFA Volunteer Responder Program

City of Houston/Harris County

State Mandate for Local Emergency Planning The Texas Disaster Act

The basic emergency management responsibilities of local governments and state agencies and officials are outlined in Chapter 418 of the Texas Government Code, the Executive Order of the Governor Relating to Emergency Management, and Title 37, Part I, Chapter 7 (Emergency Management) of the Texas Administrative Code.

Emergency Management Plan Each local or interjurisdictional emergency management

agency is required to prepare and keep current an emergency management plan that provides for disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.

The plan must contain clear and complete statements of the emergency responsibilities of local agencies and officials.

The plan must meet the state planning standards promulgated by the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM).

Emergency Planning Documents Emergency planning documents consist of the basic plan,

supporting functional annexes, and, where appropriate, appendices. The plan and its supporting documents should answer the questions of what, why, who, when, where, and how.

1. Basic Plan. The basic plan should be a relatively brief "umbrella" document that cites appropriate legal authority for emergency operations, outlines the jurisdiction’s emergency organization and policies, provides a general concept for emergency operations, and assigns general responsibilities for emergency planning and response operations to specific departments, agencies, and groups.

2. Annexes and Appendices. The basic plan is amplified by annexes that describe how certain emergency functions will be performed. The primary audience for these annexes is those who will perform the function covered by the annex. Annexes may include appendices that provide additional information pertinent to emergency functions.

Standardized Local Planning Documents The Basic Plan

Plan Annexes: Annex A: Warning Annex B: Communications Annex C: Shelter & Mass Care Annex D: Radiological

Protection Annex E: Evacuation Annex F: Firefighting or Fire &

Rescue Annex G: Law Enforcement Annex H: Health & Medical

Service Annex I: Emergency Public

Information Annex J: Recovery

Annex K: Public Works & Engineering

Annex L: Utilities Annex M: Resource

Management Annex N: Direction & Control Annex O: Human Services Annex P: Hazard Mitigation Annex Q: Hazardous Materials

& Oil Spill Response

Annex R: Search & Rescue Annex S: Transportation Annex T: Donations

Management Annex U: Legal Annex V: Terrorist Incident

Response Annex W: Debris Management

Annex O – Human Services Provides for emergency public services during an

emergency or disaster, including provision of food, water, and clothing and disaster mental health services

“Some disaster survivors and emergency responders may need mental health services in the aftermath of a disaster. Many seeking such help can obtain aid from existing local mental health programs and religious groups. As the demand for such services may increase significantly after a disaster and some local providers may become disaster survivors, there may be a need for additional mental health resources.”

Opportunity Knocks…Since it is the responsibility of the City of Houston and Harris County to ensure that mental health services are provided to their citizens in need in the aftermath of a disaster, the two jurisdictions have collaborated to establish the PFA Volunteer Responder program to provide these services immediately.

Flow Diagram: City of Houston and Harris County PFA Volunteer Responder Coordination

Disaster Incident

Contained within the COH

Within Harris County but not in the COH

XOR

PFA Volunteer Responders are coordinated via the COH HDHHS*

PFA Volunteer Responders are coordinated via the Harris County

MHMRA*

Disaster Mental Health

Response needs exceed

joint resources

XOR Crisis abated

TX DSHS is contacted by OEM for respective jurisdictions and DMH

assistance is requested**

*Unless mandated otherwise by the state or federal government, the operation and management of PFA Volunteer Responders is the responsibility of the DMH coordinators as outlined in the COH and Harris County Annex Os.

**Assistance and resources from TX Department of State Health Services (DSHS) are requested as needed by COH &/or Harris County OEM as defined in each jurisdiction’s Emergency Plan.

PFA Volunteer Responders are

activated and deployed as resources allow

Addressed by the COH OEM

Addressed by Harris County OEM

The COH HDHHS and Harris County

MHMRA DMH services

coordinators access the joint PFA Volunteer

Responder database

maintained by Harris County

MHMRA

Legend: XOR- either/or

What is PFA? Psychological First Aid (PFA) was developed by

the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Five basic aspects: Make face-to-face contact with the survivor Explore the dimensions of the problem Examine alternative solutions Assist in taking concrete actions Make provisions for follow-up

PFA as an Intervention Psychological First Aid:

Aids individuals during disasters and acts of terrorism by providing practical support and assistance

Aims to reduce initial distress and foster short and long-term adaptive functioning

Emphasizes developmentally and culturally appropriate interventions for survivors by providing rapid assessments

Eight “Core Actions”1. Contact and EngagementGOAL: To respond to contacts initiated by survivors, or to initiate contacts in a

nonintrusive, compassionate, and helpful manner

2. Safety and ComfortGOAL: To enhance immediate and ongoing safety, and provide physical and

emotional comfort

3. Stabilization (if needed)GOAL: To calm and orient emotionally overwhelmed or disoriented survivors

4. Information Gathering: Current Needs and ConcernsGOAL: To identify immediate needs and concerns, gather additional

information, and tailor Psychological First Aid interventions

Eight “Core Actions”5. Practical AssistanceGOAL: To offer practical help to survivors in addressing immediate needs and

concerns

6. Connection with Social SupportsGOAL: To help establish brief or ongoing contacts with primary support

persons and other sources of support, including family members, friends, and community helping resources

7. Information on CopingGOAL: To provide information about stress reactions and coping to reduce

distress and promote adaptive functioning

8. Linkage with Collaborative ServicesGOAL: To link survivors with available services needed at the time or in the

future

Who Can Volunteer? Anyone interested in assisting and

supporting disaster survivors

Licensed or unlicensed professionals

No formal education in psychology and/or counseling required

Things to Consider… Personal considerations

Your comfort level with: Disaster relief Working with survivors displaying an array of

emotional responses Being in chaotic, unpredictable environments Assisting people from diverse cultures, ethnicities,

developmental levels and faith backgrounds

Things to Consider… Your current health

Can you endure physically challenging conditions? Have you experienced any recent emotional or

psychological challenges? Have you had any experiences with loss or negative

life events (past or present)?

Your family situation Is your Family Emergency Plan up to date? Is your family prepared for your absence? Who will take care of your family responsibilities

while you are volunteering as a PFA Responder?

Things to Consider… Your work situation

Is your employer supportive? Do you have a flexible work schedule? Will you be willing and able to help staff shifts up to 8-hours per

day?

Preparedness to engage in self-care and self-monitoring Are you aware of secondary stress reactions?

difficulty sleeping, over-eating/under-eating irritability, anger, and frustration

Are you prepared to engage in physically and emotionally challenging work?

What is Required of Volunteers? A 4½-hour classroom-based PFA training conducted by mental health

experts followed by two 1-hour discussion-based exercises via conference calls a few weeks after the PFA training

-OR-For licensed mental health professionals, an on-line interactive PFA course – at http://learn.nctsn.org

NIMS training (on-line): IS 700, 100, and 200 at http://training.fema.gov

Signed liability waiver & confidentiality agreement

Background check

Participation in exercises and refresher training throughout the year

A desire to assist in time of need

How will PFA Responders be Activated? Will be contacted by an automated system or

team leader either pre- or post-disaster

Will be assigned to a City of Houston or Harris County mass-care site (POD, comfort station, RLR, interim shelter, etc.)

Will receive “just-in-time” training to include: PFA review Triage and referral processes Facility orientation

Why Volunteer? Provide support for people in need

Learn a valuable skill through PFA training that can be applied to any setting

Receive CEUs Social work Psychology Counseling

Make a difference in the lives of others!

Interested? If you are interested in becoming a PFA Volunteer

Responder, please apply on-line at:

www.houstontx.gov/health/pfa.html For more information, please contact:

City of Houston:Bureau of Public Health

PreparednessHouston Department of

Health and Human Services832.393.4999

Harris County:Risk Management

ServicesMHMRA Legal and Risk

Management Department713.970.7650