Safe R Model

In responding to emergency personnel, the model of crisis intervention that has been developed is termed the SAFE-R model.

Stimulation Reduction

Reduce the level of stimulation affecting the person in crisis. This may involve bringing the person to nearby secure place, taking a walk, getting a drink and/or creating a psychological distance from the acute components of the crisis.

Acknowledgement of Crisis

Have the person talk about what has happened and how they are doing. Through cathartic ventilation, validation of content, we help the person to emotionally release and reengage cognitive processes. Safety and rapport become further established.

Facilitation of Understanding

Helping the person understand their reactions are normal and having conversation that offers education, promotes the return to the cognitive domain of psychological processing.

Encourage Effective Coping

Teaching and reinforcing effective coping and stress management techniques. Maintaining a cognitive approach and together develop a plan for coping with the acute crisis situation.

Restoration of Independent Functioning

There are times when an individual continues to struggle with psychological and behavioral functioning despite the first four steps of the model. Providing assistance in obtaining acute care becomes the main objective.

As an interventionist entering into the disaster arena the SAFE-R steps provide structure and guidance for the worker and you as the interventionist. As the interventionist you carry the responsibility of following these guidelines and taking the following precautions: (From Critical Incident Stress Debriefing: An Operation Manual for the Prevention of Traumatic Stress Among Emergency Services and Disaster Workers; Mitchell, Everly Jr.,1995)

1	Do not confront or probe a person in crisis so that ego defenses are further jeopardized.
2	Never probe or question beyond the point where "closure" can be attained.
3	Don't become overly analytical so as to try to interpret the "hidden" motivations for one's behavior.
4	Don't probe, question or confront so as to lose rapport with the person in crisis.
5	Try to avoid anything that puts the person in crisis on the defensive.
6	Don't moralize or "preach" to a person in crisis.
7	Don't progress too quickly in the crisis intervention process.
8	Don't dismiss discussions of suicide or homicide as merely verbal gestures or "posturing." Failure to take even a veiled threat seriously could lead to escalations.
9	Don't use "reverse psychology" by encouraging someone to do something that you actually don't want them to do.
10	Don't take personal risks with your own well-being!