When disaster strikes, who do you call?   Calling 9-1-1, fire and rescue or law enforcement are certainly all appropriate for emergencies, but did you know that the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay is available to help too? 

Tropical Storm Debby left many folks in the Tampa Bay area wondering where to go for help.  Families and individuals were displaced from their homes and many lost personal belongings.  They felt helpless, angry and frustrated.

The Crisis Center served as a valuable resource for information, referrals and even Psychological First Aid. The Crisis Center's specially trained staff offered counseling that helped diffuse stress and restore their confidence and ability to put their lives back together.   

As an established and respected agency, community partners and local organizations frequently turn to the Crisis Center's professional staff, trained in Psychological First Aid, for assistance.  After Tropical Storm Debby, Lutheran Family Services requested Crisis Center support to provide Psychological First Aid to Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas county residents at the Disaster Recovery Centers established by FEMA and the state of Florida. 

Representatives from FEMA, the state's emergency management team, Access Florida, the U.S. Small Business Administration, American Red Cross, Area Agency on Aging, Workforce Pinellas and the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay all provided assistance.

Bonnie Bush, Crisis Center Call Center Manager, serves as Chair of the Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco Community Organizations Active In Disaster (PHP COAD) and is familiar with facilitating disaster response. The tri-county COAD is a collaborative network of organizations, agencies and businesses active in various phases of disaster.  "We meet and work together regularly to foster more efficient disaster service delivery, and minimize duplication of effort."  It was the COAD that presented the opportunity for the Crisis Center to provide PFA in the Disaster Recovery Centers.  

She and numerous other Crisis Center staff from Suicide Prevention, 2-1-1 Call Center, Family Stabilization, Trauma Recovery Services, Sexual Assault Services, and Trauma Informed Care provided crisis counseling for those affected by the weather disaster.   It truly was an agency-wide undertaking.

In times of disaster, the Crisis Center is there to assist with a multitude of services and to spread the message of help, hope and healing.