Take care of yourself so you can take care of others! Sit. Stay. Heal.

Learn how to assist people in the immediate aftermath of disaster and terrorism. Psychological First Aid (PFA) Online Training is for individuals new to disaster response who want to learn the core goals of PFA, as well as for experienced practitioners who want a review of PFA.

 PFA Online also offers a Learning Community where participants can share experiences, receive guidance, and obtain resources.  This is a 6-hour interactive course in which the user takes the role of a provider in a post-disaster scene. It features activities, video demonstrations, and mentor tips from the nation's trauma experts and survivors. After an introduction and overview, the course explains the Core Actions of PFA and includes a module on provider self-care.  Goals and Objectives Understand how and when to provide Psychological First Aid (PFA) in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. Identify the five early intervention principles. Define PFA and list its basic objectives. Describe the 8 strategies (Core Actions) of PFA. Identify general guidelines to provide PFA. Adapt PFA in diverse setting and with different populations. Identify ways to take care of yourself before, during, and after providing PFA.

 The PFA Course is maintained on the National Child Traumatic Stress Network website.

https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/continuing_ed/psych_firstaid_training.asp

A combination of Organizational, Individual, and Family Readiness is the keystone of an agency’s ability to serve their community. Through our #ResponderReadiness Workshop Series. First H.E.L.P. places emphasis on getting far ahead of a potential wellness crises by developing healthy, positive behaviors that foster an organizational culture that is ready to serve. 

While our courses directly address suicide prevention and crisis resource awareness, the primary focus is on resilience and early correction of undesirable behaviors. In the flagship, #ResponderReadiness workshop open to all First Responders of all ranks, we develop proactive, resilient teammates who are mission ready. We strengthen families who are ready and resilient with strong communication skills through our #FamilyReadiness workshop. Our #ProviderWorkshop gives an opportunity and a framework for responders and wellness providers to interact and learn from one another. The #SupervisorReadiness program is open to leaders at all levels to hone leadership skills that support organizational and individual readiness.

First Responders work around the clock under conditions that flex from calm to chaos in a matter of moments. The community needs them to be ready for anything at any time. The entire #ResponderReadiness Workshop Series was designed to provide agencies with resources that will get employees and their families ready for anything.

Recent studies of Officer Involved Shootings (OIS) reveal that as many as 40% of OIS incidents are acts of Suicide by Cop (SbC) committed by the suspect.  This number rises significantly if the suspect is a recent veteran.  A study by the California State University Fullerton also found that for every completed act of SbC, there are as many as 50 attempts to force police to use deadly force by the suspect.  The purpose of this course is to provide relevant training with the objective of reducing incidents of SbC. 

Focusing on suicidal ideation and early indicators of SbC, attendees will:

Develop an understanding of the need for proper interviews to assist dispatchers and call takers to identify potential acts of SbC and properly communicating critical information to first responders.

Have a better understanding of tactics and de-escalation techniques with the goal of reducing violent encounters with suicidal subjects thereby reducing the number of SbC incidents.

Should an incident of SbC occur, participants will better understand the need to conduct a parallel investigation into the incident of suicide (SbC) perpetrated by the subject with the goal of reducing civil liability, assisting with the administrative adjudication, and assisting the involved officer(s) in their recovery from their part in this tragic incident.

Learning Outcome – Participants will have a better understanding of SbC and be better equipped to identify precursors and potential incidents of SbC; Be better prepared to de-escalate suicidal subjects with the goal of reducing violent encounters with suicidal subjects; and in the event that there is a completed act of SbC, be better prepared to investigate the suicidal actions of the subject and responses with the goal of preventing future SbC events.