ERIC Number: EJ912751
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Jan
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0037-8046
EISSN: N/A
Crisis Intervention by Social Workers in Fire Departments: An Innovative Role for Social Workers
Cacciatore, Joanne; Carlson, Bonnie; Michaelis, Elizabeth; Klimek, Barbara; Steffan, Sara
Social Work, v56 n1 p81-88 Jan 2011
This article describes a unique use of social workers as crisis response team (CRT) members in a nontraditional host setting, municipal fire departments in Arizona. The role of modern-day firefighters has changed dramatically and now includes responding to a wide variety of crises and emergencies other than fires, such as motor vehicle accidents, family abuse, suicides, mental health incidents, accidents, and shootings. These traumatic events can lead to compassion fatigue in medically trained first responders who lack training to address the emotional needs of those involved in these crisis situations or to provide follow-up to ensure that their needs are met postemergency. Originally, CRTs were developed in these fire departments to address the needs of firefighters themselves. However, their functions have expanded to address the needs of customers served by the fire department, both at the scene and during the postintervention period. Using principles of crisis intervention and trauma theory, social workers and social work students placed in these agencies are benefiting both firefighters and community members served by the fire department.
Descriptors: Accidents, Crisis Intervention, Altruism, Crisis Management, Motor Vehicles, Social Work, Allied Health Personnel, Fire Protection, Role, Caseworkers, Family Violence, Fatigue (Biology), Trauma, Suicide, Emergency Medical Technicians
National Association of Social Workers (NASW). 750 First Street NE Suite 700, Washington, DC 20002. Tel: 800-227-3590; e-mail: press@naswdc.org; Web site: http://www.naswpress.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Arizona
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A