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Scarborough Public Safety

Scarborough Public Safety. Community Wide Resiliency Project February 2012. Introduction / Objectives. Chief Michael Thurlow 37 year veteran of the Scarborough Fire Dept. 11 years as fire chief Local EMA Director for over 30 years

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Scarborough Public Safety

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  1. Scarborough Public Safety Community Wide Resiliency Project February 2012

  2. Introduction / Objectives • Chief Michael Thurlow • 37 year veteran of the Scarborough Fire Dept. • 11 years as fire chief • Local EMA Director for over 30 years • Provide information on our town-wide community resilience pilot program • History and Q & A on the Local / County / State EMA integration & experience

  3. History of the Program • Dr. Ron Breazeale – HSGP grant with Alpha One to begin designing project • Started outreach to public safety departments • Public Safety Chiefs recognized the value of this program to their departments • Wide range of experience & ability to cope within our employees • Difficulty in determining when Critical Incident Stress Debriefing is appropriate • FEMA’s recent direction/goals towards community-wide resiliency • Dr. Breazeale, Russ Webster @ FEMA, MEMA supported Scarborough Pilot • Phase 1 complete including municipal & school dept. representation • Phase 2 starting late winter / early spring

  4. Why Teach Resiliency Skills • Everyone deals with adversity at some point in their lives – universal skills • Public Safety personnel deal with more traumatic and disturbing events • The philosophy of being Proactive vs. Reactive • Communities that are resilient are more self-sufficient and able to recover from disasters quicker and more efficiently • Example of Japan’s Tsunami vs. Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans

  5. Project Goals • To have the 1st group of trainers spread the program to their departments / peers • Complete 2nd train the trainer program reaching out to businesses, civic groups, faith based organizations, neighborhood associations, etc. to help spread the program • Have Scarborough lead locally & nationally with a model that can be replicated • Develop a Peer Support program • Train employees on how to identify peers in need of assistance • Provide resources through EAP and other programs as necessary • Bottom up approach vs. current top down method

  6. What is Resilience Re-sil-ience(ri-zil-’yens) Resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or even significant sources of stress. It means “bouncing back” from difficult experiences Definition from the American Psychological Association

  7. The 11 Resilient Skills & Attitudes • Being Connected to Others • Relationships provide support & caring • Having a number of these relationships is important • Both inside & outside the family • They are a source of love, reassurance, & encouragement • Develop new relationships

  8. The 11 Resilient Skills & Attitudes • 2. Being Flexible • A critical skill required to be resilient • Requires flexibility in both thinking & actions • The willingness and ability to try something new or a different approach

  9. The 11 Resilient Skills & Attitudes • 3. Being Able to Make Realistic Plans & Take Action • Understanding the difference between what is vs. what you would like • Being proactive vs. reactive • Being assertive vs. aggressive or passive • Being willing to learn something new & follow through with execution

  10. The 11 Resilient Skills & Attitudes • 4. Being Able to Communicate Well and Problem-solve • Basic communication skills • Learning to become a good listener and show compassion • Develop problem solving skills • Develop the ability to work as a team member within the community

  11. The 11 Resilient Skills & Attitudes • 5. Being Able to Manage Strong Feelings • The ability to set aside emotion and take action without being impulsive • Managing strong emotions • Thinking before acting while angry or hurt

  12. The 11 Resilient Skills & Attitudes • 6. Being Self Confident • Having a positive self-image • Develop confidence that you can make a difference • Understand that your actions can help yourself & others

  13. The 11 Resilient Skills & Attitudes • 7. Being Able to Find Purpose & Meaning in Life • The ability to make sense out of what is happening • Spiritual and religious practices are often a factor in this skill • Act and stay true to your values

  14. The 11 Resilient Skills & Attitudes • 8. Being Able to See the Big Picture • Optimists find this easier than pessimist • Trust that the crisis is temporary vs. permanent – “this too shall pass” • Avoid pervasivness • Hold yourself & others accountable but avoid the blame game

  15. The 11 Resilient Skills & Attitudes • 9. Being Able to Appreciate & Use Humor Appropriately • Laughter has healing power • If you’re not feeling well, watch a funny movie or read a funny book • Be cautious because humor can be misinterpreted and must be used appropriately

  16. The 11 Resilient Skills & Attitudes • 10. Being Able to Care for Yourself • Take care of yourself physically through proper rest, diet & exercise • Take care of your financial health by being organized and saving regularly • It’s tough to take care and assist others if your own house isn’t in order

  17. The 11 Resilient Skills & Attitudes • 11. Being Able to Care for Others • Helping others has a healing effect and builds resilience • Consider occupations and volunteer opportunities that involve helping others • Volunteer at nursing homes, hospitals, food banks, shelters, etc.

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