During the week of October
18-22, 1999, several NADA/F members attended the Crisis Response Team
(CRT) Training offered by NOVA (National Organization for Victim
Assistance) in Baltimore, MD. Participants included Brian Bell, Caryl
Dawson, Joe & Olive Duffy, Gail Dunham, Diane Fowles, Delphine
Glenn, Jim Hurd, Mary Kahl, Bill Mackin, Bob Monetti, Joan Pontante
and Larry & Helen Siebert. An additional 31 participants included
pastors, psychologists, school officials and counselors, and various
victim advocates from law enforcement, etc.
Discussions covered the
basic crisis reactions and emotions, short & long term stress
factors, death notification, bereavement, crisis intervention,
counseling, spiritual issues and group crisis interventions skills.
Four teams were created to present a case study on 4 different
scenarios, one being an airline crash. A simulation of a group crisis
intervention and other discussions gave many of us an opportunity to
educate the other 31 participants about what is happening in airline
travel and the trauma that results from airline crashes. Each
participant also had a chance to practice his or her skills in
facilitating a group crisis intervention.
Our eyes were opened to the
reality of basic needs for families affected by a crisis. Merely
wanting to go to a crash site to help in some way is not good enough.
We believe that NADA/F family members could provide important support
for others after an air crash, however, there is a need for training
to prevent the victimization from reoccurring needlessly after the
initial event. Many of our own members can report endless atrocities
happening to them after their crash. Our NOVA educators also
acknowledged that the method of death notification had a direct
correlation to the trauma suffered long after the crisis. It was also
recommended that we refer to our anniversary dates as
"Remembrance Dates."
This week of comradeship
gave us a chance for bonding and renewing our strength to carry on
after the tragedies that bring us together. Our thanks to Jim Hurd for
the fine job he did in organizing the training session for NADA/F and
also for the chauffeur services and the fine dining recommendations.
Mary Kahl, Board Member
Liaison to United 232 Mkahlcul@aol.com
