Disaster Mental Health Services Branch
A services branch of the Mental Health Service Command
The United States Fire Department Reserve Corps (USFDRC) under the Mental Health Services Command (MHSC) has developed the Disaster Mental Health Services Branch (DMHSB). The DMHSB provides disaster mental health services to individuals and families who have been impacted by a disaster. (e.g., bioterrorism, man-made or natural disasters).
The DMHSB Reservist Members would respond to disasters or critical incidents when local behavioral health resources have been depleted or are overwhelmed. The goal is to provide an organized response to individual victims, family members, survivors, or the community affected by critical incidents or disasters.
The Reservist Members include individuals with experience in human services, psychology, mental health, substance abuse, social work, psychiatry, education, or spirituality.
The DMHSB provide interventions in three distinct phases that may be delivered at a disaster site, in an affected community, or statewide. The phases and interventions include:
Immediate Response
Transition to Recovery
Preparedness and Mitigation
Our Reservists have received training in the general concepts of disaster behavioral health such as disaster-related behavior, common reactions among special needs/vulnerable populations, their roles in a response effort, Incident Command System, and various state-of-the-art interventions such as Psychological First Aid and Critical Incident Stress Management.
The USFDRC National or State Command would activate these units during federal or state emergencies.
If an emergency is not declared, local cities, municipalities or emergency response systems may request assistance in order to meet the behavioral health needs of communities in local crises by contacting us.
For additional information about the role these units can play in assisting your community, please contact us:
MG Rafael L. Guzman, BA/D. Div.
Florida State Commander/ Chief of Chaplains
E-Mail: rlguzman@usfdrc.org
Telephone: 1-321-332-7100 Ext. 407
CURRENTLY LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS:
CURRENT SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS AND SCHOOL COUNSELORS:
CURRENT PSYCHIATRIC NURSES:
RETIRED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS:
GRADUATE STUDENT:
Graduate students are eligible to work in the Disaster Mental Health program when they meet both the following criteria:
For additional information, contact:
MG Rafael L. Guzman, BA/D. Div.
Florida State Commander/ Chief of Chaplains
E-Mail: rlguzman@usfdrc.org
Telephone: 1-321-332-7100 Ext. 407