This is an article by Jennifer Stansberry Miller, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, May 28, 2025.
In moments of crisis, a well-executed family assistance center can offer clarity, connection, and compassion that victims’ families and survivors need to begin making sense of loss and change. Family assistance centers provide resources for support services, updates on victim identification, assistance with repatriation of remains, and reunification efforts.
Learn how tone, timing, setting, and cultural sensitivity significantly impact the psychological well-being of those affected.
This is an article by I. David Daniels, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, May 28, 2025.
Some of the greatest human-caused disasters in modern history can be attributed to unaddressed psychosocial hazards. Flawed safety cultures contribute to tragic outcomes in which concerns are not taken seriously and dissent is stifled. Learn how to take precautions against a preventable disaster.
This is an article by Emily Heard, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, May 21, 2025.
Without adequate support and resources, disasters can leave lasting psychological effects on children. In the United States, an estimated 14% of children experience a natural disaster during childhood.
Learn how to help children cope with these challenges by providing psychosocial support.
This is an article by Adrienne J. Heinz, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, May 21, 2025.
Dr. Adrienne Heinz and her young family have lived through multiple historic wildfires in Northern California. She decided to turn pain into purpose and mobilize community health leaders to build a mental health safety net for healing and recovery.
Learn how she used those experiences to serve as a guide and source of hope for other disaster-impacted communities.
Disaster survivors and responders often face psychological hazards like acute stress disorder, depression, and post-traumatic stress. These issues are worsened in multilingual communities, where language barriers hinder communication and delay aid. Effectively addressing these challenges goes beyond basic translation or ad hoc interpreting to address the whole community.
First responders undergo intense physical training to ensure they are physically prepared for emergencies. Yet despite the high-stress nature of their work, mental fitness is not given the same priority.
Learn how to support first responders by fully integrating mental wellness into recruit training programs and seeing that it is addressed throughout their careers.
Disasters affect responders and community members, but they also bring trauma to those working inside emergency operations centers. Distance from the scene does not create a shield from stress, and secondary traumatic stress can impair leadership. Learn how vital managing stress is for effective emergency response.
This is an article by Camilo Olivieri, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, May 7, 2025.
First responders and emergency managers face constant, high-pressure stress from trauma, long hours, and critical decisions. This often leads to chronic stress, increasing risks of heart disease, mental health issues, and substance abuse. Their ability to help others depends on prioritizing their own well-being through proactive self-care. Learn how first responders and emergency managers can thrive, ensuring they can better support those they protect and care for.
This is an article by Greg Hauser, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, April 30, 2025. Hurricanes in 2024 caused widespread damage to infrastructure, leading to a critical but often overlooked issue: isolation. Physical and technological disruptions left public safety personnel and government officials unable to perform essential tasks. While physical destruction was visible, the invisible breakdown of communication systems intensified the sense of isolation and fear among officials and the public.
Learn how SWICs and emergency managers can implement plans to address these unique challenges to prepare for the next disaster.
This is an article by Rodrigo (Roddy) Moscoso, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, April 23, 2025. As satellite-to-cell tech grows more common, cell phone makers must move quickly to adopt it. This link can bridge emergency services and the public, no matter the disaster or condition of ground networks. Learn how real-time satellite communication offers vital access and resilience for users and first responders alike, saving lives.
This is an article by Jennifer Stansberry Miller, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, May 28, 2025.
In moments of crisis, a well-executed family assistance center can offer clarity, connection, and compassion that victims’ families and survivors need to begin making sense of loss and change. Family assistance centers provide resources for support services, updates on victim identification, assistance with repatriation of remains, and reunification efforts.
Learn how tone, timing, setting, and cultural sensitivity significantly impact the psychological well-being of those affected. 