What are the most effective ways to keep your emergency management team calm during a crisis?

1 Communicate clearly and frequently

Communication is vital for any emergency management team, especially during a crisis. You need to share information, instructions, feedback, and expectations with your team members, as well as listen to their concerns, questions, and suggestions. Communication helps to build trust, confidence, and collaboration among your team, and reduces confusion, uncertainty, and conflict. You should communicate clearly and frequently, using multiple channels and methods, such as phone calls, emails, radios, meetings, briefings, and reports. You should also communicate with empathy and respect, acknowledging the emotions and challenges that your team may face.

2 Provide training and resources

Another way to keep your team calm during a crisis is to provide them with adequate training and resources. Training helps to prepare your team for different scenarios and tasks, and to develop their skills and knowledge. Resources help to equip your team with the tools and materials they need to perform their roles and responsibilities. You should provide your team with regular and relevant training and resources, both before and during a crisis. You should also evaluate the effectiveness of your training and resources, and make adjustments as needed.

3 Encourage teamwork and support

Teamwork and support are essential for your team's well-being and performance during a crisis. You should encourage your team to work together, share ideas, solve problems, and help each other. You should also provide your team with emotional and practical support, such as recognition, appreciation, feedback, guidance, and assistance. You should foster a positive and supportive team culture, where your team members feel valued, respected, and trusted. You should also promote a sense of purpose and meaning among your team, by reminding them of the goals and impacts of their work.

4 Manage stress and emotions

Stress and emotions are inevitable during a crisis, and they can affect your team's calmness and focus. You should manage your own stress and emotions, by using coping strategies such as breathing exercises, meditation, relaxation, or hobbies. You should also help your team to manage their stress and emotions, by providing them with access to counseling, debriefing, or peer support. You should also monitor your team's stress levels and signs of distress, such as fatigue, irritability, or withdrawal. You should intervene early and appropriately, by offering support, referrals, or breaks.

5 Lead by example

Finally, you should lead by example, by demonstrating calmness and focus during a crisis. You should show your team how to handle challenges and risks, how to make decisions and take actions, and how to cope with stress and emotions. You should also show your team how to balance work and life, how to prioritize tasks and goals, and how to learn from mistakes and feedback. You should also show your team that you care about them, by being available, approachable, and honest. You should model the behaviors and attitudes that you expect from your team, and inspire them to follow your lead.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?