LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
When tragedy strikes here, the command post or squadron commander alerts key agency representatives, one of which is the Traumatic Stress Response Team.
The TSR Team is a communitywide resource to help the base prepare for and cope with traumatic events, said Maj. Melissa O'Neill, Langley's Behavioral Health Flight commander and TSR Team chief.
The TSR Team meets on a regular basis and focuses on three primary missions. These missions include: responding to traumas on base, providing high-risk occupations with pre-exposure, or PEP training and working together with deployed chaplains in the to alleviate Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms.
For sudden losses within a squadron, such as death during a deployment, suicide or death of a family member, the TSR Team offers the squadron and surviving family members two services.
First, the team offers services to the effected squadron. The team sent to help is comprised of members from Langley's Airmen and Family Readiness Center, chapel and mental health clinic.
Lt. Col. Dane West, 1st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander, has worked with the TSR Team on numerous occasions following tragic events. Colonel West spoke of two particular incidents; the first was a car accident killing an Airman while causing dual-leg amputations for his passenger, and another of a couple's baby's premature death.
When Colonel West was notified of his two Airmen in an automobile accident, the TSR team was called the next day.
"The team walked around the squadron, seeing if anyone was troubled and giving help to anyone who needed it," said Colonel West.
The team came with a chaplain and members of the mental health clinic. Help was available to all the Airmen regardless of their beliefs or spirituality.
"Those Airmen who took advantage of what the TSR Team had to offer, benefited from the program," said Colonel West. "They help put Airmen on the road to recovery so they can focus on the mission."
Not only does the team provide counseling for those in distress, but also offers squadrons supportive information regarding acute stress reaction to first responders and/or bereavement information.
First responders are people who first arrive on the scene of an accident or traumatic event.
"Being available to squadron members in their own environment encourages self-care and group healing and also mitigates PTSD for first responders," said Major O'Neill.
During 2007, the Langley TSR Team responded to ten squadrons that experienced sudden death of an active-duty member, civilian or family member.
The TSR Team also offers the surviving family members a meeting at their convenience with the Care Team, who can help the family member with needed services.
Colonel West also spoke of the recent death of a couple's baby.
"The Care Team sat in a circle around the parents and each member went around and let them know who they were and what they could do for them. They supported a family who had just lost their daughter."
The Care Team may be helpful for family members who aren't familiar with the military. It is comprised of base agency representatives from the casualty office, mortuary affairs, A&FRC, legal office and chapel.
"For those to whom death is new, the team helps them learn how to handle death and how they can get help," said Colonel West.
Another responsibility of the TSR is to hold PEP training for groups with a high potential to witness traumatic events whether here or deployed.
Examples of traumatic events include natural disasters, accidents ranging from a single car accident to a mass casualty and any other traumatic scenarios while deployed.
"Our primary concern is making sure deployed Airmen and their families receive the services they need," said Major O'Neill.
The TSR Team learns how to handle different kinds of traumas and how to educate victims on how to cope effectively. Explaining the common stress reactions of trauma help Airmen understand themselves and their co-workers better and helps improve the symptoms of PTSD, said Major O'Neill.
They help trauma victims through the use of a trifold pamphlet which explains the symptoms of acute stress reaction, common reactions to traumatic events and tips for recovery.
"The pamphlet certainly helps out with the Airmen; it helps them understand that what they may be going through is normal," said Colonel West.
The TSR Team meets quarterly and practices their training during major accident response and chemical biological radiological nuclear exercises.
"By exercising with various types of trauma scenarios such as accidental deaths, natural disasters and biochemical warfare, the TSR Team will learn how to communicate clearly and troubleshoot problems to be prepared in case a real-world mass casualty occurs at Langley," said Major O'Neill.