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MODULE A: Introduction To Crisis Engagement
MODULE A: Introduction To Crisis Engagement
Welcome to Introduction to Crisis Engagement, where you will go over the basics of understanding the hows and whys personal crisis occurs.
PLEASE NOTE: THE OPINIONS, STATEMENTS, AND ORGANIZATIONS LINKED HERE ARE NOT ALWAYS ENDORSED BY THE SOCIETY OR MEMBERS. THE TRAINING MATERIALS PROVIDED HERE ARE DUE TO THEIR EDUCATIONAL CONTENT ONLY.
Handling Stress &Fear
Handling Stress &Fear
It's critical to first understand what stress and fear really are, and how to manage them. As most crisis come from an individual's coping skills being overwhelmed and the brain being put into a danger response mode from stress, we need to understand the basic physiological and psychological reasoning of why.
The Zero Suicide Alliance (ZSA) Suicide Awareness Training is a short, free, online course that can be taken by anyone who wants to learn basic suicide awareness and prevention skills. ZSA believes suicide is preventable and knows that sometimes all it takes to save a life is a conversation.
This is required training for all of members as a way to understand and recognize moments of crisis.
Behaviors and physicality Of Crowds
Behaviors and physicality Of Crowds
We work in crowds and crowded areas. It's important to understand the basic psychology of crowds, how the "shared identities" form in crowds during an emergency or disaster, and the dangers of crowd crush. This brief video talks about crowd behaviors and event space design, helping give some understanding of spaces that hold crowds and how they behave in those spaces.
de-escalation & calming
de-escalation & calming
In a heated, chaotic scene, sometimes we get engaged by angry bystanders or aggressive public safety personnel while rendering care. These basic concepts of keep calm and providing de-escalation training are fundamentally important to remember. We are there as a neutral party to render aid to any and all that need it, not to engage in escalations or aggressive behaviors! We may need to provide interventions if a situation is becoming aggressive and help steer to a more peaceful situation.
trauma-informed care
trauma-informed care
As part of our call to provide social care, we must fully understand what trauma-informed care is and how it impacts delivering medical care and safety interventions when dealing with people in crowded civic engagements or chaotic events. By incorporating some of these basic concepts, we can provide better social aid.
additional materials & references
additional materials & references
A Demonstrator’s Guide to Responding to Gunshot Wounds
Covers basic ballistic wound management for non-medical volunteers, from tourniquet use to improvised dressings, with an emphasis on “you are not your local trauma surgeon.”Protocols for Common Injuries from Police Weapons
Step-by-step care guidelines for rubber-bullet bruises, tear-gas burns, chemical irritants, concussion, and other demonstration-related injuriesMental Health First Aid
Highly recommended training, and one of the cornerstones for our Support Monitors, that all members should take if possible!
This is the handbook, created by Chicago Action Medical, is adopted by the Northern Aid Society as the primary handbook for our Medicaes! As Safety Medical volunteers, you should be familiar with the contents and brush up on the materials prior to every safety medical coverage event. It will be used during Medicae training courses. It covers most medical situations encountered during social and civic events, but is only basic medical information. Below are additional guides, resources, and articles that volunteers are strongly encouraged to review and explore. Seeking professional training, such as Wilderness First Responder or Emergency Medical Technician, can go a long ways as well!
Riot Medicine, the name not withstanding, is a full-length textbook that covers everything you need to become a street medic. The 486 pages include organizing, medicine, equipment, and tactics. It is written for those with no medical training and no experience at protests, but medical practitioners and seasoned protesters will still find it useful.
Other guides include a field guide, a basic aid card, and other helpful materials.
This article by the Melbourne Street Medic Collective provides a good collection of tips and techniques for providing medical care at social action and engagement events. Materials cover information about basic safety, situation management, organizational logistics and support.
The guide Streetwise & Steady: A Workbook for Action Peacekeepers or Event Marshals by Choose Democracy is a fantastic manual on safety techniques and strategies during mass civic engagement events. It covers the basics of crowd movement, de-escalation, and practical tools and principles for peacekeepers, rooted in the belief that nonviolent discipline is not just a tactic — it’s a strategy for resilience.
This article by Patrick Young provides a fantastic overview of the movement of street medicine and community medical aid in civic events. It covers concepts in mutual aid networks, the history, and thoughts around keeping the movements healthy and safe for the future.
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