Psychological First Aid: Taking Care of the Responder

Hello Everyone,

You might be wondering what Psychological First Aid (PFA) has to do with Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES), Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS), or Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES).

For most of my life, I didn't give much thought to the psychological side of emergency response. I've been involved in emergency response organizations for as long as I can remember. Before receiving my diagnosis of severe PTSD, I honestly viewed psychological health issues as a crutch for people I considered weak-minded. I thought much of it was made up and that people just needed to toughen up and move on.

I couldn't have been more wrong.

My own experience taught me that psychological trauma is very real, and it doesn't discriminate. It doesn't matter how experienced you are, how mentally tough you believe yourself to be, or how many difficult situations you've faced. Sometimes, what we experience can affect us in ways we never imagined possible.

As responders, we're often taught to suck it up, push through, and return to our everyday lives as though nothing happened. We show up, do the job, and move on. At least, that's what I believed we were supposed to do.

That mindset changed one day after spending 10 weeks deployed to a disaster. When I returned, something happened that I never expected. I essentially vapor-locked. I couldn't keep pushing everything down, and I broke down.

I eventually received a diagnosis of severe PTSD. Since then, I've spent several years working through my own demons and trying to understand what happened to me. The road hasn't been easy. It has cost me friendships, professional relationships, and, at times, my ability to trust other people.

Through that experience, I've come to understand just how important psychological health is—not only for those working in traditional emergency response roles, but also for the volunteers who serve through ARES, ACS, and RACES.

We spend countless hours training to operate radios, establish communications, support incident command, and respond when our communities need us. We prepare our equipment, develop plans, and practice our procedures. But how much time do we spend preparing ourselves for the psychological and emotional toll that can come with those same deployments?

Psychological First Aid isn't about being weak. It isn't about making excuses or being unable to handle difficult situations. It's about understanding how people respond to stress, recognizing when someone may be struggling, knowing how to support one another, and understanding when it's time to seek additional help.

If you or someone you care about, a fellow teammate, or another responder is struggling—or just doesn't seem like themselves—I strongly encourage you to take advantage of the resources and knowledge provided through this training. Don't hesitate to seek professional help when it's needed. Sometimes our minds simply cannot process or cope with what we've experienced, even when we believe we should be able to handle it. There is absolutely no shame in recognizing that and asking for help. You don't have to wait until things reach a breaking point.

I also strongly encourage everyone to complete this free online Psychological First Aid training and download the PFA application to your phone or other device. The knowledge and resources you gain could make a real difference—not just in your own life, but in the life of someone else.

You may find yourself in a position to help a teammate or fellow responder who is struggling and simply needs a friend, a listening ear, or someone willing to take the time to ask, "Are you okay?" Sometimes, just knowing someone cares and is willing to listen can make all the difference.

Being a strong responder doesn't mean you never break. It means understanding that you're human, recognizing when you need help, and having the courage to take care of yourself and those around you.

I learned that lesson the hard way. My hope is that by sharing my experience, others won't have to.