The San Antonio Fire Department just became the first fire department in the nation to be officially certified as a trauma-informed care agency.
SAFD just became nation’s first fire department certified as a trauma-informed care agency– The San Antonio Fire Department just became the first fire department in the nation to be officially certified as a trauma-informed care agency.
Getting certified involves a long, rigorous process. KSAT has reported on these local certifications many times. We are looking closely at what goes into the process and what makes organizations so proud to acquire the title. “A lot of people, when they’re going through a tough time, it can be really isolating,” said SAFD Peer Support Coordinator Lt. Ryan Westerhoff. ”It helps us understand each other as coworkers and gives each other a safe space, and when you have that in the work space, you can apply that to the citizens we serve.”followed SAFD for over a year as Westerhoff and SAFD leadership helped establish new policies regarding how staff interact with the public and with each other. “So what is trauma-informed care? It’s so that we understand it’s not about what’s wrong with you, but instead it’s what happened to you,” Ecumenical Center CEO Mary Beth Fisk said. The Ecumenical Center in San Antonio is the only organization in the country appointed by a national board to certify organizations and companies as “trauma-informed.” “We now have over 40 organizations that are certified in our city, and I will tell you that we have another 40 that are in the process,” Fisk said. ”We have certified companies in other parts of Texas, and even out of state.”What Fisk wants companies to understand is that the process is long, taking at least a year. “We have multiple standards that have to be met,” Fisk said. ”Standards in safety, training, collaboration, trustworthiness, and organization culture.”“They’re going to survey their internal staff and customers. We want to know that if they got feedback, what did they do with it? They need a trauma-informed policy,” Fisk explained. ”They need to begin this vocabulary by asking themselves, ‘Was that trauma-informed?’ Then we have a desk review, and it’s very intensive. “It’s where they send a sampling, how they have implemented all of the standards, and then lastly, we do a site visit.” “It also involved updating some of our physical spaces,” Westerhoff said about the fire department. ”Some of the rooms we use for whatever purpose to make sure they’re safe and people are comfortable, and not nervous.”“It’s improved their business model, how it’s brought them more business as well,” Fisk said. ”If you’re a nonprofit and competitively looking at funding, there’s an opportunity there to differentiate yourself one from another.” “Trauma-informed care can change an entire department, and not just the department but the community,” Westerhoff said.Staff members who work at certified organizations can include that on their resumes and use those skills in future jobs or roles.However, there is a level two certification for organizations that want to take it a step further. There is also a level three certification reserved for specific individuals, such as workers in early childhood education or faith communities.Courtney Friedman Courtney Friedman joined KSAT 12 News in August 2014 and now anchors the News at Noon weekdays, and reports important community stories. Her reporting often takes on issues including domestic violence, trafficking, foster care, homelessness and suicide awareness. She has an ongoing series called Loving in Fear.Desfile Flambeau Iluminara la noche durante FiestaDPS Mega Center closed due to plumbing issuesA stretch of Southeast Military Drive back in the spotlightCourt takes up case of Charles Byrd, accused of murdering his wifeFamily fights for justice in 2022 murder caseLa tradición de las medallas que anuncia la llegada de Fiesta en San Antonio
Health SAFD We Follow Through San Antonio
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Cold Front Brings Dramatic Temperature Plunge, Power Outages & Local Incidents in San AntonioSan Antonio faces a double challenge as a severe cold front causes a sharp temperature drop, gusty winds, and power outages, alongside an ongoing police investigation into a shooting on the East Side and the unfolding legal case of Charles Byrd. The city is also gearing up for Fiesta and celebrating acts of heroism by local residents.
Read more »
San Antonio teenager arrested after Port Aransas Beach shooting injures fivePORT ARANSAS, Texas — A San Antonio man was arrested after authorities say he shot five people late Saturday night on a beach in Port Aransas.Officers with the Port Aransas Police Department responded just after 11:30 p.
Read more »
Power outages cause San Antonio traffic lights to flash for hoursThe power outages that happened Sunday into Monday caused some traffic delays for drivers.
Read more »
U.S. Marshals Searching for San Antonio Fugitive After Alleged Sweat Patch TamperingThe U.S. Marshals are asking for your help in locating a San Antonio man accused of violating the conditions of his federal supervised release.
Read more »
San Antonio ISD identifies $19.3 million in budget cuts in bid to reduce deficit by halfSAN ANTONIO - San Antonio ISD leaders say they have identified $19.3 million in budget reductions as the district works to close a projected structural deficit
Read more »
After KSAT covered six shootings in 48 hours, San Antonio nonprofit calls for preventionKSAT covered six shootings in 48 hours this past weekend, and at least two of them were deadly. One nonprofit says the city and community need to invest in preventive efforts to change the statistics.
Read more »