Scott County’s Critical Incident Team offers peer support after traumatic calls

Scott County’s Critical Incident Team is providing peer support following traumatic calls, after members responded to a Saturday crash scene and later conducted a debrief for personnel involved in the response, according to WKYT.

The team, which includes 13 members, is structured to support first responders and others who may be affected by the stress and emotional strain that can follow serious incidents, the report said. After the crash response, the team held a debrief for all personnel who took part in the scene work.

WKYT described the team as a group made up of peers who understand the demands of emergency calls and who can offer support in the aftermath of difficult scenes. The approach is intended to help responders process what they saw and heard, and to ensure that those involved have a chance to talk with people who have shared similar experiences.

The debrief that followed the crash response was aimed at covering the events of the incident and giving personnel an opportunity to discuss how they were doing after the call. WKYT reported that the team’s peer-support efforts focus on helping people involved in emergency work cope with the impact of traumatic situations.

The report used the phrase “someone who gets it” to describe the value of peer-to-peer support, reflecting a public safety emphasis on readiness not only for the next call, but also for the emotional and psychological aftermath of the last one.

The team’s activities are centered on coordination among responders and on providing structured support after critical incidents, rather than leaving individuals to address stress on their own, WKYT said.

As Scott County continues to use the Critical Incident Team model, the next steps for each involved responder will depend on their participation in the debrief and follow-up peer support, with the team continuing to respond to future critical calls in the same framework, the report indicated.