Mass Violence Incidents
Now that we have demonstrated how to provide trauma notifications using the four-step process, let’s apply it to mass violence incidents. Are you prepared to provide multiple trauma notifications in the event of a mass violence incident within your jurisdiction?
These notifications can be complicated. Each family should have their own trained trauma notification team. The trauma notifications should be done in private and not in a public space.
However, taking individual families into a specific room to do the notification is not recommended as other families know what is about to happen when they are escorted into that room from the waiting area.
Friends and family members often converge on the scene after a mass casualty. The National Transportation Safety Board estimates that an average seven family members for each deceased victim may arrive on scene.
Providing multiple trauma notifications:
Ensure each family has their own trauma notification team.
Provide notifications in private.
Monitor on-scene convergence.
Create realistic expectations for the NOK.
Ensure effective communication between jurisdictions.