NCJ Number
146959
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 57 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1993) Pages: 10-16
Date Published
1993
Length
7 pages
Annotation
After defining critical incidents, this article explains the importance of providing stress education before such crises occur and suggests what administrators and managers can do to mitigate the consequences of critical incident stress for probation personnel.
Abstract
Critical incidents are sudden and unexpected; can disrupt one's sense of control; undermine beliefs, values, and assumptions about life; involve the perception of a life-damaging threat; and may involve physical and emotional loss. Stress education before a critical incident occurs helps to reduce the impact of traumatic events on personnel. Such training should begin at induction into the job and be repeated and updated periodically. Administrators and managers should also respond quickly and effectively after a critical incident occurs. This aids in recovery. Managers should be alert to signs and symptoms of stress in individuals following a critical incident. Constructive responses to such incidents should include the dissemination of accurate information about the critical incident, listening to coworkers following such incidents, giving affected employees private time if needed, and instructing staff not to take the anger or other feelings expressed by coworkers personally. Administrators should also acknowledge to staff that they too were affected by the critical incident. This article also discusses pitfalls to avoid in responding to critical incidents, components of the debriefing model, and when to call in a critical incident debriefing team. 11 references