organizations fail and individuals seem frail.
Conversely, in
some instances it may be only the formal organization that holds
individuals and groups together at a time of intense pain.
LOCATION. Military tragedies are likely to involve more than one
community due to the nature of military operations and
organizational structures.
Therefore the potential for unseen
and unsuspected stress reactions is multiplied in military
settings.
GROUPS AT RISK. Those likely to experience extended stress over
time include: Survivor families and close friends of victims;
senior leaders; Survivor Assistance Officers and casualty affairs
personnel; volunteer workers at the disaster site and morgue
personnel; and Chaplains and others who come into direct contact
with bereaved families or the disaster site.
This model will continue to evolve over time as other tragedies happen and
as knowledge derived from these events becomes incorporated into the
existing framework.
The model is a tool to be used, along with other
assets, such as the consultation/research team, community resources and
leaders, to respond as well as possible to tragedy.
It is important not to lose sight of the fact that these assets will not
provide a solution to every stressful or difficult situation that arises in
the course of responding to these events. As knowledge accumulates from
experience, however, it will be possible to further elaborate strategies of
intervention, prediction and understanding in order to prepare for next
time.
Gander participants and observers might prefer to forget the horror and
sorrow of their experiences. However, to use what was learned during these
long months will lessen the suffering and pain for others when the next
tragedy occurs. If the lessons learned from Gander are remembered, then the
soldiers from the 3-502nd Task Force will not have died in vain.
End of excerpts.
Previous Page
