Post-Incident Response

After the MVI initial response, it is important to address the immediate needs of the victims and survivors. There will be a variety of needs that must The Information & Notification Center will be transformed 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 victim/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 try to find a space that can accommodate the various needs. 

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

Services that may need to be provided:

  • Referrals to mental health counseling,
  • Assistance accessing crime victim compensation, 
  • Provision of emergency resources, 
  • Access to legal services, 
  • 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 can include Mental Heath, Medical, Law Enforcement, Victim Services, Social Services, Child Protection, Prosecution and Education.

Typically, this group will meet every day at first (usually by phone) to do daily check-ins. The purpose of these calls is to reflect on the prior day's events, what needs to happen today, and plans for tomorrow. 

Case Navigators

A case navigator is a person who works with individuals to assess needs and offer helpful resources or tools. Ideally, each victim or family will be assigned their own Navigator, and each Navigator will focus on only one family. The Alaska Victim Assistance Partnership (AVAP) offers a statewide coordination team with trained navigators who can assist those harmed in your community.  Navigators can also help communicate with Victim Services personnel to address any on-going matters pertaining to the criminal justice process.  Lean on AVAP to help assign Case Navigators if your local community is overwhelmed or needs a break.  

It will be critical for Case Navigators to be able to debrief, take time off, and incorporate needed self-care Establish opportunities for local Case Navigators to connect and support each other throughout the recovery process. 

Media Requests

Within minutes, there will be a Public Information Officer (PIO) from the local law enforcement agency providing information to the media and the public. This information 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 will begin to pour into various organizations accepting donations. The local jurisdiction should set up a specific place 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 
  • Funds available VOCA 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 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

Victim Advocates have a difficult job and self-care is important. Be familiar with the local recourses that are available to help you 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 to Oncoming Weeks

When you have the immediate needs 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 (may still be a crime scene).