What is the role of management in reducing workplace stress for first responders?

In the effort to reduce workplace stress for first responders, managers must act as counselors, mentors, communicators, administrators, and care supervisors/overseers.

The role of communicator is probably the most important one for managers. Managers must make themselves available to listen to the concerns of first responders and to assure their employees that any negative feelings (fear, grief, anger, and shock) that surface in the line of duty are perfectly natural. In this way, managers act...

In the effort to reduce workplace stress for first responders, managers must act as counselors, mentors, communicators, administrators, and care supervisors/overseers.

The role of communicator is probably the most important one for managers. Managers must make themselves available to listen to the concerns of first responders and to assure their employees that any negative feelings (fear, grief, anger, and shock) that surface in the line of duty are perfectly natural. In this way, managers act as mentors who provide emotional guidance during local and national disasters. A manager's level-headed response to trauma assures first responders that they too can maintain functionality despite high stress levels.

Managers also play an important administrative role in mitigating stress at the scene of the tragedy or disaster. This administrative role overlaps with the care overseer role. Basically, managers must make available respite areas at the scene of the tragedy, where first responders can rest, eat, or take showers. Before the rescue mission begins, managers should also work to pair experienced first responders with newer emergency workers. This allows managers to monitor stress levels and to reinforce the safety procedures that will protect first responders at the scene of a disaster.

As care overseers, managers must monitor work breaks and put proper hydration regimes in place. Also, some first responders have to be encouraged to rest, despite their reluctance to do so. Additionally, disaster zones are often dangerous places, and managers in their administrative roles must ensure that first responders have adequate security and phone privileges in the event of threats to their lives. A manager who fails to fulfill his/her administrative role properly can contribute to high stress levels among first responders. 

After the crisis, good managers continue to act as mentors, counselors, and administrators. They institute time off from work for highly impacted first responders. Upon the first responder's return to work, an effective manager may choose to assign the first responder to less demanding responsibilities in order to facilitate his/her transition back to work. The manager may also initiate private counseling sessions with the first responder to determine whether continued mentoring assistance is necessary.

To learn more about how managers can act as effective counselors and care overseers, please refer to the links below.