Page 1 of 5 PURPOSE: BAMSI has established a Crisis Stabilization and Support Team (CSST) to guide response to agency crises that pose a threat to health, life, and property. The Crisis Stabilization and Support Team includes individuals from the areas of administration, facilities, outpatient, quality management, risk management, public relations, and human resources services. Among the members are clinical and nursing staff. In the event of a crisis, the CSST would be expanded to include other members of the BAMSI community as appropriate based on the nature of the crisis. SCOPE: In accordance with BAMSI s Crisis Management Plan, the team is responsible for gathering and reviewing details of the crisis, determining crisis management and response activities, specifying communication procedures with internal and external audiences, and briefing senior management. The team is also responsible for providing education regarding crisis management to the agency and for establishing positive working relationships with community law enforcement and emergency management personnel. PROCEDURES: Responsibilities of BAMSI Crisis Stabilization and Support Team: The BAMSI CSST, under the guidance of the CSST Director, is responsible for the following: 1. Establishing a protocol for dealing with crises and critical incidents. 2. Establishing a systematic approach for identifying, referring, and intervening with those programs identified as at risk for crises and critical incidents.
Page 2 of 5 3. Orienting staff to procedures and training to fulfill designated roles, including conducting drills. 4. Providing information to persons served, staff, and the community on CSST referral procedures. 5. Providing assistance during a crisis in accordance with designated roles; providing follow-up activities. 6. Conducting debriefing at the conclusion of each crisis episode to critique the effectiveness of BAMSI s Crisis Management Plan. 7. Conducting periodic reviews and updating the Crisis Management Plan; conducting related updated staff training. Duties of Members of CSST: Duties of members of the crisis response team are as follows: 1. CSST Director will oversee and supervise emergency management activities within BAMSI. Assignments include: Monitor continuity of administration Develop a comprehensive agency Crisis Management Plan Design and train agency CSST Design an Emergency Operations Center or command post Monitor developing situations such as weather conditions or incidents in the community that may impact the organization Keep town officials, division staff, and program personnel informed of developing situations and initiate emergency notifications and warnings, as needed
Page 3 of 5 Direct emergency operations until public safety officials arrive on scene. Serve as a liaison to public safety personnel once they arrive on the scene Implement evacuation procedures and measures to control access to affected area Authorize the release of information to the public Coordinate use of building(s) as public shelter for major emergencies Provide damage assessment information to the Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of the affected division/s. In major emergencies, damage assessment information will be forwarded to the Town Emergency Services Coordinator for determination of local emergency status and request for state assistance. Coordinate disaster assistance and recovery 2. The Crisis Team is trained in intervention and post-intervention procedures. Team members include the following: Vice Presidents, counselors, social workers, medical professionals, facilities, and other assigned staff as necessary. The Team has the responsibility to: Develop and implement procedures for prevention, intervention, and post-intervention. Establish a systematic approach to identifying, referring, and assessing risk. Disseminate information to programs, staff, and community on referral procedures. Provide training for staff. Conduct drills. Assist the agency in controlling emergency situations. Assist program staff at the scene, during and following emergency/crisis situations. Remain available during the six-month rotation as a team member. Attend training and regular team meetings.
Page 4 of 5 Referral Process: The CSST may be activated for any emergency/crisis. In unclear instances, a Crisis Team notification should be made and the team activated. If not needed, members can quickly return to their normal routine. Initial Team Procedures: When the team leader(s) and administrator(s) have cooperatively determined that CSST intervention is needed, the team leader will set a meeting time and place and a telephone tree will be activated. All team members will have an updated list of team members phone numbers. Team members will be assigned to assist in the emergency/crisis situation and to support each other through the process. Immediate Tasks: At the initial team meeting following a reported crisis: 1. Identify division s liaison and verify contact information. 2. Verify that all Crisis Management Plan Procedures are being followed. 3. Verify facts. (appropriate for each specific crisis) 4. Verify and arrange, if needed, notification of significant others (family and staff) of known facts and of the CSST as a helping source. 5. Verify notification required by regulatory agencies/funders for the involved program(s), and other administrators, as appropriate. 6. Determine method for notification of staff, family/guardian members, and external sources, including regulatory agencies, funders, public officials, media, etc.
Page 5 of 5 7. Arrange for program staff meeting(s). 8. Prepare statement(s) to staff, family/guardian members, and external sources. 9. Agree upon specific tasks/roles for each team member. 10. Agree upon method of communication during crisis period and time and place for next meeting. 11. Arrange for additional staffing or coverage for the program if necessary. 12. Email/telephone notification as soon as possible to non-activated members of the CSST.