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Disaster Workers

Disaster workers are often hidden victims of disasters and traumas. First responders are repeatedly exposed to mutilated bodies, mass destruction and life threatening situations while doing physically demanding work. Relief workers involved in continuous operations such as hazardous materials cleanup suffer fatigue, sleep loss, and often risk to one’s life.

Repeated exposure to trauma can put rescue workers, especially first responders such as fire fighters and law enforcement officers at increased risk of developing a range of distress and health risk behaviors including depression, anxiety, insomnia and post traumatic stress disorder. There are numbers of behavioral health risks associated with disaster work. These include over identification with victims, as well as over dedication that can lead to diminished performance and fatigue

Disaster workers also include health and mental healthcare professionals such as psychiatrists and social workers. Disaster psychiatry addresses a range of response and recovery issues from stress management to advancing evidence-based management of acute stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Psychological first aid is an important, evidence-informed intervention that can be delivered to disaster victims in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event. Disaster workers also include employee assistance professionals who often intervene to foster recovery in the aftermath of workplace violence.