Emergency Management Professional Green Cross Academy of Traumatology Marysville, , Washington, United States
Have you ever heard brand-new cuss words from a local sheriff in a high-stress activation in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC)? Or seen a colleague go from high functioning to indecisive? On the other hand, have you ever worked in an EOC so calm, collaborative, and effective that FEMA complimented it as the most productive environment they had seen during a deadly disaster response? This workshop explores those realities-with a strong emphasis on the last one. Emergency Management is inherently stressful work. Nearly 30% of Emergency Managers report experiencing symptoms of Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS), which can impair critical thinking, decision-making, and overall performance. Even more concerning, recent studies indicate that Emergency Managers are five times more likely than the general public to experience suicidal ideation. These statistics highlight an urgent need to address stress not as a personal weakness, but as an occupational hazard. Participants will learn how unmanaged and unacknowledged stress-rather than stress itself-is the true enemy of effective functioning. Through real-world stories and practical examples, this workshop will demonstrate how intentional stress management strategies can foster a productive, resilient, and high-functioning EOC and reduce the impact of Moral Injury. Whether it's Peer Support Teams or a redesigned break room, there are simple actions that make a difference and reduce the loss of productivity in an EOC.
