AAP Open Forum

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  • 1.  Mental Health and Morale Boosters for staff during emergency situations

    Posted 06-19-2023 14:38

    Hello everyone,

    Our community has been evacuated twice in the past month due to wildfires and is now facing flooding.  I was wondering if anyone has tips, tricks, or advice as to how to keep up morale for staff and my CAO?  Mental health is so important, and while our organization is doing a great job letting staff know it is ok not to be ok I am finding the ones who are giving the most are the ones least likely to ask for help.

    Also, any advice on tips to ensure my CAO is supported for business continuity would be most welcomed!

    Thank you in advance,

    Adrienne



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    Adrienne Tait
    Executive Assistant to CAO and Council
    Town of Edson
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  • 2.  RE: Mental Health and Morale Boosters for staff during emergency situations

    Posted 06-20-2023 07:23

    Hi Adrienne,

    My thoughts are with you.  My niece and her family live in Edson and have evacuated twice, while planning their wedding this week, so I know it's a lot.  I live in PEI and we were hit by Hurricane Fiona last year which resulted in no power for 10 days - 2 weeks and extensive damage.  We work remotely, so some of our team had power when some did not.  I think we just gave everyone time, knowing that everyone was dealing with Fiona in a different way.  Some had damage to take care of.  I don't remember any mental health or morale boosting, but I remember being allowed to deal with whatever in our own way.  I spent days cleaning and hauling things to the dump.  My employer allowed me, and the others, time to take care of our home lives before worrying about work life. 

    I really think giving people the time and space to deal with their home life is very important, without jeopardizing their jobs.  For example, if they need to spend a few days at home cleaning up after the mess and getting prepared for the next, let them.  Try to keep the stress from work on hold for a while.  

    I don't know if that helps and if your organization is in position to do that.  I guess when we were off with Fiona, the whole province was shut down, so it was a little different.  

    Donna



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    Donna Lamont
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Mental Health and Morale Boosters for staff during emergency situations

    Posted 06-20-2023 08:19

    Hello,

    I'm so sorry to hear what you and the team are going through. I worked for Strathcona County when I experienced something similar (not sure if you remember the bomb that was detonated in our parkade back in 2018). Some staff were in the building during that time. We were also displaced for several months all while trying to support our community at the same time. On our return to the office a staff member tied branches of evergreen to office doors and left pieces on our desks with a poem to staff about resiliency (evergreen are known for weathering harsh storms, etc). We repeated the same on our 1 year anniversary. I still remember this is kind and thoughtful gesture as years have passed. 

    I would reach out to your Director of Family and Community Services. They should have resources you can share with staff. We would send frequent reminders on supports available and tips on self care. You can also connect with me on LinkedIn. I have some contacts I can share who can provide the same as well as offer support and expertise for community recovery when dealing with traumatic events. 

    http://linkedin.com/in/vanessa-bower-52398a46


    Hope that helps and thinking of you. Take care.

    Vanessa



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    Vanessa Bower
    Executive Assistant to the CEO
    Civida
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Mental Health and Morale Boosters for staff during emergency situations

    Posted 06-20-2023 10:32

    Hello Adrienne,

    I reached out to our Manager, Emergency Management and he had the following response:

    What a big challenge to face. This scenario is extensively studied and known that communities morale peaks during a hazard onset as everyone is filled with community spirit as they band together to solve the problem. However, as time continues, morale plummets as people are overwhelmed by the hazard. Having gone through multiple evacuations and now flood impacts would certainly stress out most communities and their administrations to the point where negative impacts could be witnessed. From a mental health perspective, having strong operations procedures can be a tremendous offset on negative mental health consequences, people are less likely to suffer stress injuries if they operated as their workplaces required, regardless of the outcomes. Secondary to that I would suggest as many team-building opportunities as possible, I've heard of command posts that bring in fitness members to guide people through stretches, go for walks together, or play a quick game for a distraction opportunity and joyful moment. 

    For continuity, designating the right team members to focus solely on community continuity vs the hazard response is important. We have seen tremendous resource sharing in Alberta over the last 10 years given how many hazards we have faced together. The CAO shouldn't hesitate to reach out to other communities to see where support can be provided so they or their team can get breaks and relief when needed. This year when we activated for the Fort Chipewyan wildfires creating a schedule of when staff were rotated through positions was created within the first 36 hours of response because Fort McMurray had so much experience with staff burnout throughout those responses. 

    Hopefully, the end is in sight for your community and your team is able to get some much needed time away and R&R!  



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    Dorothy MacMillan
    Executive Assistant, Operations
    Operations Centre

    P: 780 874 3700 Ext. 2932
    C: 587 217 8471

    www.lloydminster.ca



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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Mental Health and Morale Boosters for staff during emergency situations

    Posted 07-01-2023 11:50
    Thank you everyone for your support and advice! It is very much appreciated. There are some key take-always I will definitely be suggesting or implementing. Our team has been amazing but advice from others who have been through similar situations or have an outside perspective is invaluable.

    Have a wonderful Canada Day!



    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Mental Health and Morale Boosters for staff during emergency situations

    Posted 06-20-2023 12:59

    Hi Adrienne, 

    We have an amazing Partner who has provided great insight into this discussion.  

    Work Smart Live Smart Home Page - Work Smart. Live Smart.

    Here is Beverly's info: 

    For over 20 years, Beverly Beuermann-King has used her S-O-S Principle™ with people and organizations who want to control their reactions to stress, build resiliency against life's challenges, and live healthy, successful lives. Beverly appreciates that there is not 'one way' to deal with our challenges or build resiliency. Beverly believes that it is about building a plan that works, and one that is unique to the person and team who builds it. If you are thinking 'we need that', then let's talk!

    Contact information:  
    Beverly Beuermann-King
    info@worksmartlivesmart.com
    705-786-0437
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/beverlybeuermannking/
    21 Fingerboard Road, Little Britain, ON K0M2C0

    We are fortunate to have Beverly as a Partner.  All the best in your journey!

    TLJ



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    Terry Lynn Jones
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Mental Health and Morale Boosters for staff during emergency situations

    Posted 06-20-2023 16:37

    Hi Adrienne,

    I can't offer much to you, but my thoughts are with you and your team during this time. I'm not sure if you have a copy of this but B117 of this manual speaks to How to Support Others without Sacrificing Yourself and you might find it helpful. 

    I wish I could do more.

    Brenda






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    Brenda G. Smith
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    Original Message