Subscribe to our Newsletter
|
|
|
Fire Service opportunity to lead on |
|
|
|
Although most people are familiar with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, too few have heard of Post-Traumatic Growth. For that reason, negative emotional response remains a largely unnecessary sore for many Service personnel
There is a conditioned tendency to reflect upon what went wrong. We are instructed to learn from history and not repeat the errors of the past. This absolutely does not work in any facet of human behaviour; otherwise the Fire Service strike of ‘77would stand alone, not as a dress rehearsal for the damaging dispute of ‘02-‘03. The current model is that in order to not repeat past misdemeanours we mentally rehearse what went wrong; we then practice the procedure to repeat it ad infinitum. In psychological terms, this is mentally rehearsing failure, etching weakness onto the operating procedure of our minds. It becomes a repeat pattern, as inevitable as industrial relations conflict ensues once caught in the self-perpetuating loop of accusation and counter-accusation. This outmoded operating system ensures that we become experts at repeating errors and mistake that for normality. It should be stated that there is an obvious requirement to learn from our mistakes. However, because we have been conditioned to concentrate upon the negative, to then reverse the habit of a lifetime and achieve peak performance is a struggle and remains illusive for many organisations. The key is to identify what works most effectively and practice that technique until it becomes habitual. If this sounds obvious, it is because it is. To reiterate, it is not however, how we have been conditioned to behave. In the Fire and Rescue Service dealing with disaster is a by-product of working life for frontline personnel and control operators. When negative effects arise, such as with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, occupational health processes are activated which can prove effective in dealing with the problem. From Critical Incident Stress Management to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, there are a growing number of treatments available to the Service.
However, all of these are remedial, having to work with what went wrong. This is anathema to the Service’s approach to its core duties: prevention rather than intervention. Almost every approach to emotional distress to this date has been largely remedial – there is no real proactive approach to dealing with traumatic incidents. In fact, some psychologists have pointed out the potential damaging effects of exacerbating emotional distress by over-emphasising the possible impact. This is a version of the ‘conditioned’ response; this time placed in the future by mentally rehearsing what could go wrong rather than what did go wrong. The effect can be equally destructive. A great opportunity to get it right has been highlighted by a research paper on Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) by University of Birmingham academics (see pg 30). PTG‘ is a process of developing coping strategies and resources after threatening or traumatic situations, so one can face and cope more effectively with future trauma’. The positive effects of PTG include changes in self, relationships and outlook on life. Instead of being knocked backwards by exposure to traumatic events, the fortunate individual grows stronger through the experience. Once again, this is nothing new. We have all heard the phrase, ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’. But the approach is easier said than done due to our unfortunate training. It is sad, though understandable, that until researchers visited Gloucestershire FRS no research had ever been conducted on PTG in the UK Fire and Rescue Service.
Overall, researchers found that firefighters reported Having more positive changes in their lives (PTG) than negative. Researchers suggest helping firefighters to prepare for the emotional impact of distressing incidents such as RTCs through coping skills training. Thismust be carefully configured around findings of what works. Top coping strategies identified include acceptance (learning to live with it), reinterpretation (learning from the experience), humour, active coping (taking some form of action) and emotional support (talking it through).
What makes these initial findings exciting is not just in the obvious worth of having a positive outlook, but in how these behavioural role models can be utilised to maximum effect. Whilst there cannot be a generic model of optimume motional response, it is eminently possible to construct a matrix of behavioural responses that can be practised to the individual requirements of responders, ie, rehearsing what works. To construct such a resource, there needs to be wider research to further extrapolate the extent of PTG within the Service, including variations etc. Following that, more exploration is needed on how those individuals process their experiences, thereby building a repository of valuable insights into positive response to traumatic events. This essential study can build the foundations of a toolkit for personnel to delve into, facilitating a healthy, highly-developedmindset for emergency responders. This surely eclipses the reactive measures that are currently in place. It is, quite simply, a great opportunity to finally start rehearsing getting it right. |
|
|
