First responders join forces for trauma support

LIVES With A Purpose Foundation hosted an initiative to bring first responders together and make connections to develop relations between them. By doing this, Catherine Wheeler, the foundation founder and chairperson, said it creates an effective on-scene and post-scene support referral system.

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“The attendance of first responders is imperative to create an efficient and effective service to the public and victims/survivors.” Lives With A Purpose Foundation provides a network of trauma debriefers, counsellors and therapists to support and empower communities. Asked about the importance for first responders to work together, Wheeler said it is crucial.

“Each first responder is equipped to deal with trauma in their specific field. By working with a compilation of first responders, the community is introduced to a comprehensive supportive infrastructure that is mostly freely available to the community, by first responders and aligned support network organisations.”

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The event was attended by Mobi-Claw911; Magma Security; the Jess Foord Foundation; the Specialised Tactical Accident Rescue Team; ER24 Paramedics; Kloof High School; Westville and North Durban Victim Support and Pineridge Trauma Teams; Premier Meats; Caltex Winston Park; A2B Transformation; KZN Premier Office; KZN Public Service; Serve SA and Intellect; and various Upper Highway neighbourhood watch groups – COPS, Winston Park Guardians and G2 Winston Park.

She advised the public to make contact or, at the very least, find out who their community policing forums and their neighbourhood watches are made up of.

“The next step is to establish whether there is an active trauma debriefing team in your area – the police or the community policing forum will provide this information.

“Should you not have an active Trauma Debriefing Team, contact Lives With A Purpose Foundation (LWAP) to assist,” she said.

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