MULTIPLE STRESSOR DEBRIEFING AND THE AMERICAN-RED-CROSS - THE EAST BAY HILLS FIRE EXPERIENCE

Workers who are mobilized to help with disaster relief are exposed to a multitude of stressors. Debriefing may prevent or minimize the negat ive consequences of stress reactions in relief personnel. The multiple stressor debriefing (MSD) intervention promotes the discussion of tro ubling aspects of the disaster work in a group format. This article di scusses two models of debriefing and describes how the MSD model was u sed with American Red Cross personnel during the East Bay Hills firest orm in California. Specific recommendations are made for debriefing in large-scale, long-term disaster relief efforts.