International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc.
International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc.
By: Mindy Albright, CCISM, C.E.C.R., CCRC, D..A.A.E.T.S.
On the morning of November 30, 2021, the last thing one would suspect was to receive a call regarding a shooting at one of our area schools. However, that is what took place. Our Crisis Response Team, Oakland County Rapid Response Org. was activated and teams responded.
Defusing with Fire Fighters/Paramedics was the designation of the day. As team members, being equipped to cultivate peer support, we listened while they told their stories. This was crucial. We knew that considering the fact Oxford is a small close knit community, the saturation of relationship would be present. Every thought and fear was expressed. The most definitive fear of some was having their own children in the school. For a First Responder the struggle of not knowing if their son or daughter was the one lying shot on the floor down that hall, while still keeping their head straight to do what they were trained to do, “was the hardest thing I’ve ever done”, said one.
In the days ahead, debriefings were a productive part of each day. Assisting the first responders through all of the evident chaos and seeing the CISM model being true to form was unmistakable.
Opportunities doing one on ones were endless. Talking on the street, at prayer vigils, groups of students gathered sitting at a park, or recognizing the “1000-mile stare” of the lady in the next booth while having lunch. Appreciation for assisting them get through the unbelievable was endlessly expressed. For us, having the right tools in our toolbox was not only comforting to them but us as well. Knowing we could leave them with a plan for tough days ahead.
Oxford as a community will never be the same. For many, the road to recovery will be long as constant reminders appear around every corner. Support within the community is strong as the students prepare to return to school. Continuing peer support and efforts for open conversation will assist on a constant basis. Teams have been and will continue to be available each step of the way.
With each large event that I have ever worked, and especially those with media present, there are always folks with good intentions but resent CISM crisis intervention and it was no different in Oxford. I mention this because if you are called upon to assist in an event like this, don’t take it personal but focus on those you can help. It grieves me to see agency territorial positioning but it happens. Having agency meetings getting to know how functioning together in the community can be a great help. Doing the homework before something happens is the key.
This will be an event that can help remind us that we need to promote training more and more throughout the community and especially in schools. Unfortunately, these things will not end but I think with training, we possibly can head them off.
OXFORD STRONG
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