Post-Incident Response

After the MVI initial response, it is important to address the follow up needs of the victims and survivors.

There will be a variety of needs to address and multi-agency communication and coordination is vital.  The Information & Notification Center will need to transform into a Family Assistance Center, which will be able to help victims and survivors get the services they need.

Family Assistance Center (FAC)

The Family Assistance Center (FAC) is a place everyone can gather. The FAC should remain open for several days, weeks or even a few months after the event. It is designed to offer information, resources, and a variety of services all in one location. 

The FAC is typically a physical location where people can stop by to get information, meet with other survivors, and receive services. However, it is extremely helpful to have a website that people can access as well. Some victims/survivors will not come to a physical location and others do not live locally where the MVI occurred. Examples of this would be the Boston Marathon and the Las Vegas Route 91 Harvest music festival.  

Often law enforcement interviews will take place at the FAC as well, so it is recommended that coordinators find a space that can accommodate privacy, but also a variety of other needs and services. 

First responders should have their own place to gather.  Communicate with your police and fire partners for available spaces.

Services that may be needed Post-Incident:

  • Referrals to mental health counseling
  • Assistance accessing crime victim compensation 
  • Provision of emergency resources
  • Access to legal services
  • Access to tribal support
  • Access to immigration services
  • Support for veterans
  • Support for individuals experiencing a disability
  • Support for other special populations within your community

Multi-disciplinary Team (MDT)

A multi-disciplinary team (MDT) is a group of community leaders that represent various professions. This team can differ depending on what your community has available, and what population has been harmed during an MVI.  This can be a formal or informal group working together to identify the unique needs of your community.

Often, an MDT will include representation from Mental Heath, Medical, Law Enforcement, Victim Services, Social Services, Child Protection, Prosecution and Education.

Post-incident, this group will meet daily at first (usually by phone) to do daily communication, coordination, and follow up. The purpose of these calls is to reflect on the prior day's events, what needs to happen today, and plans for tomorrow. 

Media Requests

It is expected that after an MVI, there will be a Public Information Officer (PIO) from the local law enforcement agency providing information to the media and to the public. This is the official information to various media sources that is accurate, timely, multilingual, and multicultural. It is important that the victims/survivors hear important information prior to being released to the public. Work hard to ensure there is efficient communication between your victim services team and the PIO.

Often the media will want to talk to various victims and family members. In Alaska, there are numerous PIO personnel from pubic safety and justice programs that network with each other. That means there is a pool of trained PIOs who can assist victims/survivors.

To access this network of PIOs call the Anchorage FBI at 907-276-4441

PIOs will discuss with victims: 

  • How to prepare for the onslaught of media attention.
  • How to prepare and release a statement to the media.
  • How to manage the media regarding funeral or on-going needs.
  • How to set boundaries with the media and address disrespectful contact. 

Resource & Donation Management

Money may begin to pour into various organizations accepting donations. The local jurisdiction should set up a specific place or site where people can donate funds or goods. Often friends and families will want to set up individual accounts for specific victims to help with costs.

Donation management is very complex and needs to be addressed as soon as possible. 

Victim advocates can assist victims and families in gathering needed items, but should refrain from being involved with the management of the fund.

There may be financial resources to manage short-term and long-term needs. These need to be identified as quickly as possible and may include:

  • Local or state funds 
  • Donated funds 
  • VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) funds
  • Crime Victim Compensation
  • Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program (AEAP) grants 

Considerations:

  1. Refer individuals who would like to make a donation to a single point for the collection of public donations. This may be a public entity, non-profit organization, or a financial institution.

  2. Be aware of how private donations such as “Go Fund Me” accounts may affect crime victim compensation awards.

  3. Utilize the Red Cross or other organizations for non-monetary donations.

  4. Victim advocates should never manage donations such as "Go Fund Me" or similar platforms. 

Vigils

There may be a planned vigil or vigils that are more spontaneous. It is helpful if victim advocates can attend a vigil to be able to offer support to the victims, families and community members. Law enforcement should be there to provide safety and security for the participants.  Work with local faith-based, tribal and/or school district leaders to coordinate the vigil.

Below are best practices that have been developed from mass violence incidents:

  • Have victim advocates stay in the periphery, with minimal identifiers such as lanyards or basic victim advocate jackets.
    • Avoid badges and identifiers such as bright glowing jackets.
  • Watch for individuals that may need emotional or other support during the vigil.
  • Avoid law enforcement tributes with lights and sirens as they may re-traumatize victims of the mass violence incident.

Resources for Self-Care

Advocacy for victims of an MVI is a difficult job and self-care is important. Be familiar with the local resources that are available to help individuals deal with the trauma that has occurred.  Compassion fatigue is a broadly defined concept that can include emotional, physical, and spiritual distress in those providing care to another. It is associated with caregiving where people are experiencing significant emotional or physical pain and suffering.

Learn more about Compassion Fatigue from the Compassion Fatigue Awareness Project's Website.

NMVVRC's Self-Help Tools & Resources

Next Steps: Looking Ahead

When the immediate needs have been handled, begin discussing the long view of support and what will be needed:

  • When should the FAC be transferred to a long-term Resiliency Center?
  •  When and what personal effects can be returned? 
  • Assist survivors and family members who want to visit the site of mass violence incident if that is possible, with the understanding it may still be a crime scene.