Crisis Support

The below steps will be taken by NZOIA to offer support to a Registered or Affiliated NZOIA member involved in a critical incident.

If it is a serious incident or near miss (death, life threatening or potential to be life threatening), NZOIA will cover the costs of wages for the NZOIA office support or Technical Expert for 1 day. Travel is negotiable with affected party dependant on the circumstances. Please contact the Operations or Business Manager for assistance.

Personal strategies

We also encourage members to develop strategies for themselves in dealing with crises.

Some questions that may be useful are:

• Who will inform the media, the employer, friends and family, and how? Do you have a media policy? We recommend an "Unable to comment" response from all NZOIA members, at least until you're aware of all the circumstances surrounding an accident.
• What sort of reporting will be necessary and who will do this?
• Is counselling required and who will provide it? 
• What strategies will be required to deal with other participants in the group?
• Do you/your organisation have a lawyer?
• Do you/your organisation have insurance?
• Are you working under an SMS?
• How can the situation be debriefed and who will do this?

During an incident: Crisis Support Questions

• The following questions may be useful to ask in the event of a critical incident:
• Who is the person in charge?
• Have you informed Police (111) and WorkSafe (0800 030 040) or Maritime Safety Authority (for waterways) (0508 472 269)?
• Have next of kin been contacted by somebody?
• What strategies will be required to deal with other participants in the group/s?
• Does the site/activity need to be closed until the incident has been reviewed?
• Do you have a media plan/policy to follow? We recommend an “Unable to comment” response from all NZOIA members, at least until you’re aware of all the circumstances surrounding the incident. Who will speak to the media? Have other staff/participants involved/families been briefed on media expectations?
• Were you working under an SMS Plan? Obtain a copy if possible.
• Do you need support from NZOIA? Contact the Operations or Business Manager.
• If applicable, have you contacted your lawyer?
• If applicable, have you contacted your insurer?

Follow up:

• Do you/others involved need access to counselling?
  • NZ Association of Counsellors: Database of regional counsellors that specialises in trauma: http://www.nzac.org.nz/nzac_counsellor_search.cfm.
  • Victim Support: 0800 842 846. 24 / 7 service provided free of charge in communities throughout New Zealand to help victims of serious crime and trauma. They do not provide counselling / therapy, but can put individuals in contact with people who can help.
• Do you need access to a support network of other people/organisations that have been through a similar crisis?
• What sort of reporting will be necessary and who will do this?
• Have incident reports been filed?
• Do you need assistance with an in-house investigation?
• How can this situation be debriefed and who will do this?
• How will you implement/share learning? Can others learn from this?