Overview
Planning to Manage a Crisis: Tornado Disaster Response in Rural Alabama
Slide 1: Title Slide
Planning to Manage a Crisis: Tornado Disaster Response in Rural Alabama
Slide 2: Crisis Identification and Categorization
• EF-3 tornado impacting Abbeville, Alabama
• Crisis Category: Ecosystemic
• Community-wide disruption affecting individuals, families, infrastructure, and services
Slide 3: Readiness and Preparedness
• Foundational crisis intervention training
• Experience with disaster-affected populations
• Familiarity with Alabama emergency management systems
• Growth areas: advanced disaster mental health, FEMA/VOAD coordination
Slide 4: Influence of Values, Beliefs, and Cultural Identity
• Commitment to service, dignity, and equity
• Faith-informed compassion and community-centered approach
• Rural Southern cultural attunement
• Awareness of personal worldview and communication style
Slide 5: Cultural Humility or Reflexivity Challenge
• Challenge: Assuming survivors prefer formal agencies over informal supports
• Importance: Rural communities may prioritize privacy and self-reliance
• Need for ongoing self-reflection to avoid misinterpretation
Slide 6: Initial Crisis Reactions
• Shock, confusion, disorientation
• Grief and loss
• Heightened anxiety and fear
• Survivor guilt
• Overwhelm due to disrupted housing, employment, and transportation
Slide 7: Treatment Model (Part 1)
Psychological First Aid (PFA)
• Evidence-based and flexible
• Prioritizes safety, stabilization, and immediate needs
• Supports diverse populations without requiring diagnosis
Slide 8: Treatment Model (Part 2)
Roberts’ Seven-Stage Crisis Intervention Model
• Assess lethality and safety
• Establish rapport
• Identify major problems
• Explore feelings
• Generate coping strategies
• Develop action plan
• Follow-up
Slide 9: Resource List (Local Resources)
• Henry County EMA
• Wiregrass United Way 2-1-1
• Southeast Alabama Mental Health Center
Slide 10: Resource List (Regional/National Resources)
• American Red Cross – Alabama Region
• FEMA Disaster Assistance
• Alabama VOAD
Slide 11: Team Wellness and Burnout Prevention
• Structured debriefing and rotation schedules
• Clear role assignments
• Access to supervision and peer consultation
• Encouraging boundaries and time off
• Monitoring for compassion fatigue
Slide 12: Leadership Characteristics and Social Change
• Trauma-informed, culturally responsive leadership
• Transparent communication
• Strength-based team empowerment
• Advocacy for equitable disaster recovery
• Modeling cultural humility
Slide 13: References (Part 1)
• James, R. K., & Gilliland, B. E. (2017). Crisis intervention strategies (8th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Aradhya, U. (2018). 10 tips to effective time management. Human Capital, 22(6).
Slide 14: References (Part 2)
• Chaneski, W. S. (2017). Time management: How effective are you? Manufacturing Engineering.
• FEMA. Disaster assistance resources.
• American Red Cross. Alabama Region disaster services.
Slide 15: Appendix (Resource List Summary)
• Summary of agencies and services for survivors.