A critical incident is any sudden or unexpected traumatic event that affects people’s emotional lives, feelings of safety, and ability to cope. It might be a robbery or assault that occurred; a sudden accident or death, murder or suicide, downsizing or domestic abuse. Floods, fires, hurricanes, airplane crashes, and acts of terrorism are other examples of critical incidents that may occur that significantly impact a large number of people. Whatever the trauma, people may be affected for days, weeks, or even months afterwards. Although often conducted at the workplace, critical incident response may also be conducted in other settings.
Critical incidents responses are generally conducted in groups with up to 20 individuals, although individual meetings are often conducted as well. The purpose of the response is to help people understand the traumatic stress responses they are having and to help them deal with the impact of the event through accessing resources (internal and external) and providing immediate psychological first aid. The aim is to stabilize, support and triage affected individuals. By participating in such meetings, resiliency is bolstered often averting more persistent problems.
Dr. Carlock and Dr. Glaus have special training and expertise in traumatic stress and in conducting critical incident responses for those who have been closely involved with a traumatic incident. Dr. Carlock has conducted debriefings in both Dayton region and in New York City following the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center as well as in preparing responders to Hurricane Katrina.