ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
Over the past several years the Andrews community has been fortunate to not have any large scale aircraft mishap, or a base wide traumatic event that would affect a large number of individuals. This positive outcome is a result of outstanding personnel performance by base safety, security and readiness and vigilant community members.
As members of a military community, we know that we must be prepared to respond and support our people if the unthinkable were to happen. As a result, the 79th Medical Wing formed the Traumatic Stress Response Team.
The TSR team has been established to serve as trauma response consultants to unit leaders across Andrews, in accordance with AFI 44-153. The wing commander can activate the TSR team in support of local response operations in the event of a disaster, or a large scale traumatic event.
The TSR team consists of a licensed and credentialed mental health provider, a chaplain and a representative from the Airman and Family Readiness Center. The team also invites other base military and civilian personnel to receive training to become a member to augment the TSR team's capabilities.
As trauma consultants to unit leaders, TSR team members focus on training base personnel who will most likely be exposed to potentially traumatic events. Team members also educate personnel about the human nervous system and how it could potentially respond to extreme and threatening situations. Further education is provided that details basic stress management skills, and focuses on increasing personal and unit resiliency.
Education is provided to ensure personnel understand what to expect after such an occurrence. For example, it's not unusual for first responders, or persons involved in a traumatic situation, to experience sleep difficulties for a few days following the incident. Also, the individual might experience frequent thought, or reoccurring images of the event. In addition, a person might notice themselves wanting to be alone more often when typically this behavior is not a normal characteristic of their personality. The key is for trauma survivors to simply be aware of theses potential changes, and to avoid such unhealthy coping methods.
A final and important role filled by the TSR team is to provide direct behavioral health support to personnel as part of an adjustment to a more normal lifestyle after surviving a life-threatening event. Also, the team provides support to others who have been affected by disaster or trauma. The TSR team can assist with making initial assessments, and furthermore make the appropriate referrals to the right level of care.
It is a hope that the wing's disaster response resources are never needed, however, it's common knowledge to know just how important readiness is. The TSR team is no exception, and as a result, the team trains and prepares to support the wing commander, and unit leaders with meeting their mission requirements; on call and always ready.