NZDF Response to Christchurch EQ Feb

2011

Capt Geoff Sutton, NZ Army

Lt Marty Fourie, RNZ Navy

Overview

• The NZDF Resiliency Framework• NZDF Involvement• Psych Response to Chch EQ 2• Reactions of Our People• Numbers…• Lessons Learnt

Training

Internal Policy

Culture

Coping

Research

Outcomes

Psych Response

Stressful Event

Combat Ready Team

Mentally Hardy Individual

How NZDF builds resilience

NZDF Involvement

• Op Awhina activated• 3 ships; 1800 personnel involved Navy, Army, AF

•e.g. Cordon, body recovery (USAR), DVI, demolition, engineers, environmental health, catering, labour tasks etc

• NZDF Psychologists

Psych Response

• Aim•reduce adverse effects of potential stressful events through education, normalising reactions, and identifying high risk personnel.

• What did we do? •Initial surge of 3 psych’s (2 local + Linton psych) to Burnham; rotation policy•Personal perceptions •Initial actions: identify need (e.g. high risk), created resources, implemented plan (incl screening), data management requirements.

Reactions of our people

• Lyttleton• Cordon story: frustrations-

engineers, boredom, fatigue (e.g. on cordon for 2 months)

• The birthday…• Positive stuff- ability to get involved,

satisfaction and rewarded, felt good about helping (e.g. engineers)

Figures

• 1800 personnel involved• ~500 pers briefed• 56 identified as high risk

•CISM Screened

• 11 required further support• 6 Clinical referrals

Lessons Learnt

• Responsive capability• Development of own resources• Opportunity for learning and growth• Supervision/ care for the carer?• Cultural considerations