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Wellbeing resource

Critical events: recognising and managing the impacts – a guide for first responders

Understanding how a critical event may impact you can be helpful in reducing the size of the impact and the chance of experiencing ongoing challenges.

As a first responder you have a higher chance of involvement with a critical event than the general public; whether this be personally attending or being exposed to details of a critical event that may be meaningful to you. By extension, your family will also likely experience greater awareness of critical events and the potential flow on effects for the family unit.

Just because it comes with the nature of the job doesn’t mean first responders are immune to potential impacts from these events. In fact, it makes it all the more important to be aware of the effects critical events can have on you and your family.

The impact of a critical event can vary widely from person to person based on a number of factors, and there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to feel. It is common to experience a range of physical and emotional impacts following a critical event, which often subside within a few weeks. Understanding – and even preparing for – the way in which a critical event may impact you can be helpful in reducing the size of the impact and the chance of experiencing ongoing challenges.

This resource provides information about critical events, how they can impact you as a first responder and your family, and strategies for supporting ourselves before, during and after critical events.

Download this resource to read more.

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