Contact: Keith Emmer • 212-920-9205 • press@worldcares.org
Disaster Responders Must Be Better Prepared for Hurricane Wilma; Trauma Prevention Necessary for More Effective Relief Effort
NEW YORK (October 20, 2005) – As Hurricane Wilma tracks unpredictably through the Gulf of Mexico, World Cares Center, Inc. (“WCC”) offers its PERCS plan to reduce trauma and increase the effectiveness of responders and volunteers before, during, and after the storm passes.
“All responders should receive support to cope with the psychological effects of a disaster,” says Lisa Orloff, WCC’s Executive Director and founder (see professional summary below). “As shown by the Gulf Coast’s experience following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, an effective life saving response to tragedies and disasters depends on both professional disaster responders and community volunteers. Unfortunately, we’ve seen numerous examples of what happens when volunteers, and even full-time responders, are undirected or become emotionally overwhelmed.”
The PERCS (“plan, educate, respond, collaborate and support”) program is designed to mitigate trauma so it does not become a drain on the responders and consequently, on the relief effort.
Plan. Volunteers and even full-time disaster responders all too often end up requiring care and services themselves. All responders should know the limits of their ability to help in a disaster. WCC can direct responders to appropriate resources, to help ensure that volunteers receive direction and that both full-time and volunteer responders do not pay too high an emotional price for their valiant service.
Educate. Though volunteers have different experience levels, many are well-intentioned but have not been sufficiently trained to play a role in disaster response. The desire to serve others can also result in physical, emotional, mental, and social trauma when confronted with the reality of a chaotic and often unstructured environment. WCC trains responders and volunteers on the experience, rewards and stressors of disaster work.
Respond. During and in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, WCC offers briefings in self-care for volunteers, and advises local organizations in leading & effectively utilizing local volunteers and those who are traveling to the affected communities from other areas.
Collaborate. WCC works in concert with local governments, NGO’s, and other private partners to assess needs and to provide a diverse menu of free and accessible programs to help responders become more resilient.
Support. In many ways, the most critical time for survivors and responders (many of whom are survivors themselves) is the months and years after the disaster fades from public attention and many relief agencies withdraw or reduce their support. WCC offers a model, protocols and ongoing advice for communities to establish centers based on WCC’s successful September Space program, which Ms. Orloff founded in New York City to assist those who lived through the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It is here where PERCS integrates with September Space, to aid in the recovery and continued well-being of all of those impacted by the disaster.
For more information on WCC’s disaster preparation and trauma mitigation programs, or to speak to Lisa Orloff, please contact Keith Emmer at 212-920-9205 or press@worldcares.org.
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Executive Director and Founder Lisa Orloff – Professional Summary
In her role as supply chain manager at Jacob Javits Center during the aftermath of 9/11, Lisa Orloff came to realize that while the city had plentiful support services for those who suffered direct losses as a result of the terrorist attacks, no agency or organization was available to aid the legions of volunteers who stepped out of their ‘normal lives’ to give selflessly to the rescue and recover effort, thereby enhancing the likelihood that they would be vulnerable to secondary trauma or compassion fatigue. It became Ms. Orloff’s mission to bring together the various agencies and stake holders so that her vision of a safe, healing community space could be realized. As the founder and president of World Cares Center, Inc. (WCC), Ms. Orloff elicits the support of executives, professionals and corporations to continue growing the organization’s network of support and to keep it vibrant. She is responsible for raising funds for all the World Cares centers initiatives, and organizes, develops, and promotes a variety of WCC programs.
Ms. Orloff is a member of the NYCVOAD Volunteerism Leadership Team that has created a strategic disaster response plan focusing on support and aftercare for New York City’s volunteer community. Ms Orloff also promotes WCC and volunteerism through a lecture series for school children “The Giving Spirit”. She is a passionate advocate for community resiliency and empowerment and speaks globally on these topics and her experiences.
About World Cares Center, Inc.
World Cares Center, Inc.(“WCC”), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is in the vanguard of providing education and support services in disaster preparation and trauma mitigation for workers, volunteers and affected communities. Founded in New York City after the 9/11 attacks, WCC continues to help New Yorkers and residents of other cities move forward from adversity through its signature September Space community centers and PERCS© training program.
To learn more about WCC, to provide support, or to collaborate with us in your area, contact us at 212-563-7570 or visit www.worldcares.org.