Video: Lamar County Crisis Training

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VERNON, Al.(WCBI)–When all is well and situations are good, the abnormal and unthinkable sometime happens. The Lamar County Sheriff Department hosts a two day training for grief and crisis counselors.

In the event of a tragedy, professionals from the community are getting instructions on just how to react and just what are the right words to say.

“And we’ve got funeral directors, we’ve got some school counselors, we’ve got some fire and rescue folks, we’ve got somebody from the Alabama State Police. And some ministers. And the whole goal is to train these folks and how to respond to critical instances,” said Tim Faulk/Crisis Doctor.

And so they break off into about four or five groups. There is some role play involved. The group is then briefed after a mock hostage situation.

“The scenario that they were in a board meeting. A guy comes in with a knife held them hostage for 45 minutes. They have since been released. And before they go home we want to brief those folks. And give them a handout on some of the signs and symptoms they may very well experience once they are home. Also some information for their family,” said Tim Faulk.

“Trying to get those who have experienced a crisis to talk about it. And to bring them into a mental state that when they leave from that situation, they can go home and be at peace with what happened,” said Chaplain Danny Thompson/Lamar County Sheriff Dept.

Being able to respond correctly to a grieving person or persons after an unexpected tragedy, can be for them a source of emotional stability.

“And of course after the school shootings that have taken place like Columbine. The bus hostage situation in Dothan or Midland city, I feel like we are not prepared if we have a crisis or an incident. Or even when the tornado came through Hackleburg, I was asked to go and I had not been chaplain long and I said what do I do, what do I say,” said Danny Thompson.

“I feel like we are being proactive and so that we can help those; you know I feel better prepared to help now that I’ve been through this training,” said Mary kathryn Bozeman/School Counselor.