A Survey of Mental Health Services for New Jersey's First Responders

(Continued from newsletter)

The New Jersey Disaster Critical Incident Stress Response (NJDCISR) initiative located within the Office of the Attorney General conducted a survey to begin to look at improving New Jersey’s first responder system of services.  The survey examined existing first responder support services in New Jersey, and took a frank look at who responders turn to  when critical incident stress services are needed.

The interviews were coordinated by Meg Kallman O'Connor with assistance from Lou Mascioli, Mike Parmenter and Greg March of the NJDCISR program. Ms. O'Connor, a licensed clinician and member of the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) for Morris County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) was consulted for this initiative because of her extensive background in critical incident stress management (CISM).

The project began in May '2004 and concluded in February '2005 with CISM Advisory Group Roundtable Sessions in the north, central and south region areas of the state. The objective of the meetings was to provide feedback from first responders about CISM services provided during the response to September 11.

The surveying process involved two phases, 1) a first responder survey disseminated throughout the county and municipal offices of emergency management, and, 2) in-person interviews. It was decided to disseminate the forms using the emergency management network because of their responsibility for coordinating first responder duties in a disaster, and their knowledge of mental health planning requirements in the counties.

A major challenge faced by the interviewers was trying to bring all the key players together to discuss mental health issues. Participants were reluctant to discuss issues that might be seen as sensitive in nature. There was a need to stress the importance of including mental health in emergency management exercises and that mental health concerns are paramount for first responders.

Coordinating the individual county meetings was also a major challenge because of the participants’ busy schedules created post 9/11.  After completing the 21 county assessments, Ms O'Connor presented the findings at three regional group sessions. The sessions were held in the Morris, Somerset and Burlington Counties, representing each region of the state and including agencies from the seven (7) counties reflective of each region. This regional configuration is identical to the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management’s geographical breakdown of regional OEM counties and seemed to work well because of the familiarity of the agencies with each other from prior planning and response activities.  The meetings were very well attended. The following agencies were represented at the sessions:

New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, County Offices of Emergency Management, County Mental Health Administrators, New Jersey Disaster Critical Incident Stress Response, New Jersey Division of Mental Health Services, Cop2Cop, Critical Incident Response Network, the Office of Victim-Witness Advocacy, New Jersey Critical Incident Stress Management Teams, and Police, Fire and EMS Groups.

During the sessions there was further validation that 9-11 first responders dedicated countless hours to the response, both in New York and New Jersey. The majority of the county participants were unaware if CISM services had been provided for their first responders, however, it is possible that because of confidentiality, this information was not provided to their associates or superiors.

It was further concluded that most mental health care givers and providers in the county are not normally included in emergency management exercises. Most agreed that they need to become more involved, focusing more on the needs of the first responder. Interviewers believe that the interviews and regional group sessions have enhanced awareness of mental health issues and concerns for the first responders. The sessions also provided an opportunity to promote the objectives of The New Jersey Disaster Critical Incident Stress Response Grant Program, its website ( www.njdcisr.org ) and 24/7 confidential helpline number for 9-11 first responders in need of assistance (1-866-4U-NJ-1ST). 

In response to the need to address the mental health needs of first responders, in collaboration with the New Jersey Division of Mental Health Services, a process for rapid deployment and assessment of mental health needs for first responders in the event of a disaster has been developed called RADAR (Rapid Assessment Deployment and Response).  Additional education needs to be promoted in all areas of mental health assistance so every county in the state plans for and responds to disasters in a consistent manner and with a focus on providing CISM services to its first responders.