Many first responders find themselves in challenging situations when working hard to support an individual or whanau. The combination of stress, trying to make sense of a situation and the grief involved when a loved one is hurt. Add in misunderstandings, language differences or emotions like anger and fear – and we have a volatile situation on hand.

This workshop is aimed at giving those involved in responding to traumatic circumstances the advanced skills and understanding required in working successfully with people in volatile situations. The presenters have faced these circumstances themselves many times and supported first responders nationally and internationally to approach traumatic events wisely and graciously. By using the correct strategies and approaches, it is possible to improve the outcomes and protect everyone’s mana.

Whether you are working within a formal emergency services role or just want to achieve better outcomes in situations where emotions may be elevated – this workshop will help you build both your skills and confidence – and result in a better outcome for your service users.

Both Emma and Edmond have worked extensively with emergency services personnel as specialist clinical supports. They are sought after speakers internationally. This practical exposure along with a comprehensive understanding of the impact that stressful and volatile exposure have on the responder and the public including onlookers allows them to provide practical guidance on what works, work with participants in brainstorming solutions and keep everyone safe. They are some of the most compassionate people we know!!!

Through practical interactive activities, applied skills training, discussion, and presentations the sessions will cover:

Session One: First Responders Wellbeing - – Keeping Ourselves Safe

• Understanding the essence of First Responder challenges and an overview of the skills and strategies needed to keep the public - and responder - safe in critical and volatile situations.

• Responder mindset: The "Outcome focus" – reading cues and seeing opportunity for “the best possible” outcome.

• Acknowledging and understanding ethical exhaustion, compassion fatigue, moral disengagement and the risks to wellbeing and ethics within teams.

• Engagement and effective/persuasive communication: Transitioning from assessment, to analysis, to connection, to rapport, to persuasion - to alliance.

• How to judge what’s possible – when.

• Keeping each other safe: Listening and partnering.

• Teamwork and the flow of the moment.

Session Two: The Situations 

• Mindset: Responder headspace and resources, including the law

• Skills: How to perform situational analysis in the heat of the moment

• Mindset: Solution-focused outcomes: Reading cues and seeing opportunity

• Skills: Accessing and using body language, positioning, and physical presence

• Skills: How to achieve De-escalation. What to say, and when.

Session Three: Review and Analysis of ‘real-life’ situations (held 5 weeks after 2nd session)

• Group review and feedback: Focused analysis of participants' application of the tools and skills presented in session two.

This workshop is designed to provide tools and skills that can be implemented immediately and tailored to each individual’s workplace.

This workshop is for all roles that require individuals or teams to volatile situations or work with the public within potentially traumatic circumstances. This may involve those with roles in emergency services (Police, Fire, Ambulance, Civil Defence) including those in Coms Response roles, as well as, Corrections, Probation staff, Councils and Community Patrol units – in fact anyone in public-facing services.