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4 | February 7, 2019 | Malibu surfside news news malibusurfsidenews.com Trauma experts provide resources, road map for aiding community Presentation geared toward local mental health providers Michele Willer-Allred Freelance Reporter “With this kind of trauma ... you’re going to have a longer dormant period.” Dr. Norman Blumenthal — on mental health following a disaster Trauma, especially after a fire disaster, can remain dormant for a very long time because people first have to focus on rebuilding instead of on their mental health needs. Nightmares, trigger responses and the effects of PTSD, can then show up weeks, months and sometimes years later, usually when the individual thinks everything is OK. “This is very important for us to know in mental health, but it’s also very confusing,” said Dr. Norman Blumenthal, a nationally recognized expert in trauma, during a Jan. 29 presentation at the Malibu Civic Theater. The presentation about trauma, coordinated by Dr. Juliette Boewe, school psychologist for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, was given to mental health providers providing services for Malibu residents and staff after the Woolsey Fire. Blumenthal, who also is director of trauma, bereavement and crisis intervention at OHEL Children’s Home and Family Services in New York, joined Tzivy Reiter, director of children’s services at OHEL, for the presentation. Blumenthal, Reiter and their team of trauma interveners have responded to local and national crises ranging from the Sept. 11 attacks in New York, Hurricanes Sandy and Harvey, and the Pennsylvania synagogue shooting. Blumenthal began the presentation with a discussion about what trauma is, and said the way people function is based on the notion that everything is going to be the way it always was. Every once in a while, something like a disaster derails us and takes away that core assumption of safety and security. “A trauma reaction is not a mental illness,” he said. “A trauma reaction is how normal people respond to trauma. It’s about being human.” Blumenthal said residents in Malibu live, for the most part, a beautiful and normal, predictable life. But, he said, many victims of disasters in high-risk areas are always anticipating when the next disaster is going to happen. “So, we can’t say to the victim that you have nothing to worry about; they do have something to worry about,” he said. “On the other hand, we can’t take them out of the situation for practical reasons. So, how do we help this subset, which I think is the focus here.” He emphasized that people whose homes have been destroyed could be living in a new home and seemingly dealing with things fine, but then images of Suzy Demeter/22nd Century Media watching the old house burn can come back. “You don’t want to remember that and yet, in a strange way, the brain will bring you back there,” Blumenthal said. He noted that after residential fires, it’s often the smell of smoke, the sensation of heat, seeing flames, or hearing sirens that can bring people back, and that often happens because people had to deal with pragmatic matters first after the disaster rather than seeking help. “If there’s a trauma that requires having to deal with the government, having to rebuild a home, having to find someplace to live, the body remarkably takes the emotional piece and parks it, files it away,” he explained. “So, you’re very often with this kind of trauma, where there’s so much destruction of property and there’s so much need to rebuild afterwards, you’re going to have a longer dormant period.” Blumenthal said this kind of response happened very dramatically with Holocaust survivors. Though the Holocaust was over in 1945, survivors who needed psychiatric help only started showing up in mental health professionals’ offices in the 1950s because their first priority was rebuilding their lives. Blumenthal highlighted a study that included forest fires in California, which found rates of PTSD and other psychiatric diagnoses much higher than those from other natural disasters. He noted that seeing destruction of the landscape is very traumatic for survivors, especially if it’s in a wooded area, which is often very tranquil and associated with peace. Trauma can be exacerbated after a disaster when the culprit gets away with it or the wrong wasn’t righted, he said. Blumenthal also said an issue related to trauma is the reaction to those who are supposed to help victims recover, whether it’s government agencies or rescuers. “The interesting thing that I have found, and you can tell me if it’s true here as well, is that it’s very polarized,” he said. “People are either idealized or resented. Then you got to deal with bureaucracies and others, and you get a lot of extreme reactions — and that has a lot of lingering effect.” He said doing productive things, as well as practicing selfcare and routines, are important for survivors of trauma, because it reaffirms that life for the most part is predictable. Reestablishing a sense of community when so many have been displaced, and welcoming people back and making them feel wanted, also are very important. Reiter said one of the most important things mental health care providers can do is let victims and survivors talk about the trauma, because “speaking about it takes it from something that is out of control and makes it in control.” Reiter said the resilience of communities after disasters has been very powerful to see. One disabled woman she met after Hurricane Sandy lost everything, but vowed to not let the disaster ruin her, she recalled. “I thought that was very profound, and that is really what the crux of this work is: working with people and helping them sort of find their inner strength, tap into their coping skills, and really come out stronger on the other side,” Reiter said. Reiter said the OHEL group has donated resiliency workbooks for every elementary school student at Malibu schools. The books were personalized for fire recovery, and include the most up-todate information on resiliency building. For those helping children deal with trauma, Reiter recommended visiting the National Child Traumatic Stress Network at www.nctsn.org/resources/helpkids-cope.
malibusurfsidenews.com MALIBU Malibu surfside news | February 7, 2019 | 5 TheCity of Malibu is Here to Help Ourhearts go out to all those affected by the devastating WoolseyFire. The City is committed to doing everything possible to help community members with theirimmediate needs, to provide asmooth process forthosewho lost homes toestablish temporary housing ontheir property and to rebuild, and to resume normal City services and activities. NEW - DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR FEMA,,SBA LOANS & STATE GRANTS EXTENDED TO FEB. 15 The deadline to apply for assistance programs from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the California State Supplemental Grant Program, and the Small Business Administration (SBA) for people and businesses impacted by the Woolsey Fire has been extended to Friday, February 15. The first step to enroll in all three programs is registering with FEMA by February 15. Toapply or for more information visit www.disasterassistance.gov or call 800-621-3662. NEW -DEBRIS REMOVAL APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO FEB. 15 Choose aDebris Removal Program After aproperty has been inspected and cleared by aHazMat team, residents must choose one of the two Fire Debris Removal Programs available in the City of Malibu. Any other debris removal is prohibited and could result in acitation and delay in rebuilding. For detailed information, visit the Debris Removal Operations Center (see below) or City Hall’s Fire Rebuild Desk, visit the Debris webpage at www.MalibuCity.org/Debris or call 310-456-2489, ext. 371. Option 1: CalOES The state-run CalOES Program will remove fire debris from destroyed or damaged homes under strict environmental and public safety guidelines, at no out-of-pocket cost to the homeowner. To opt in, aRight of Entry (ROE) form must be submitted by February 15, 2019. Option 2: LocalProgram The County-run Local Debris Removal Program allows property owners to get astate-certified contractor at their own expense for fire debris removal. The work must include the same testing and certification provided under the State program. Deadline to apply is February 15, 2019. If fire debris removal has not been completed by March 15, it will be removed from the property at the owner’s expense (at least $100,000). DEBRIS REMOVAL OPERATIONS CENTER OPEN IN CALABASAS LA County has opened aDebris Removal Operation Center (DROC) in Calabasas where residents can ask questions and get guidance through the fire debris removal process. The DROC is located at 26610 Agoura Road, Calabasas (near the 101 Fwy and Las Virgenes Rd) and is open Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturdays 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. For more information, call LA County's Woolsey Fire Recovery Hotline at 626-979-5370. CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING FEB. 11 ON CODE AMENDMENTS TO HELP RESIDENTS REBUILD During the City Council meeting on Monday, February 11, 6:30 PM at Malibu City Hall, the City Council will hold apublic hearing to consider amendments to Title 17 (Zoning) of the Malibu Municipal Code and to the Local Coastal Program. The Council will also review the Planning Commission’s recommendations to modify standards and procedures to facilitate the rebuilding of structures damaged or destroyed by the Woolsey Fire and provide relief for the victims of the fire. The agenda will be posted at www.MalibuCity.org/AgencaCenter. REBUILDING FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) The City offers astreamlined process for residents to get back into their homes. Planning & Environmental Sustainability staff are available to help residents navigate this process. Contact Planning at 310-456-2489 x485 or mplanning@malibucity.org, and Environmental Sustainability at 310-456-2489 x371 or mbuilding@malibucity.org. For in-person assistance, visit the Fire Rebuild Desk at City Hall Mon -Thurs, 7:30AM -5:30PM, Fri, 7:30AM -4:30PM. To see the Frequently Asked Questions about the rebuilding process visit www.malibucity.org/WoolseyRebuildFAQs. NEW DISASTER AD-HOC COMMITTEE Malibu Mayor Pro Tem Karen Farrer and Councilmember Mikke Pierson, Chairs of the Council's Disaster Response and Recovery Ad Hoc Committee, will be holding public community meetings with the goal of understanding the Woolsey Fire disaster and helping the community and the City be better prepared for future disasters. Anyone may email questions or ideas to the Committee at any time at RecoveryAdHoc@MalibuCity.org. ALL LEAF BLOWERS BANNED WEST OF MALIBU CANYON To protect public health from potential hazardous materials in the fire debris and ash, the City has banned the use of ALL leaf blowers (both gas and electric) in City limits west of Malibu Canyon Road effective immediately, through August 1, 2019. PROHIBIDO USAR SOPLADORES DE HOJAS AL OESTE DE MALIBU CANYON Debido aque los escombros ylas cenizas del fuego ylas estructuras dañadas pueden contener materiales ypartículas que son peligrosas para la salud ylaseguridad, La Ciudad de Malibu prohíbe el uso de sopladores de hojas dentro del área de la ciudad al oeste de Malibu Canyon Road hasta el límite de la ciudad. La prohibicion esta en efecto inmediatamente yterminara el 1° de agosto del 2019. SWIMMING POOL GUIDANCE Discharging pool water to storm drains is prohibited. If apool must be drained because it has been impacted by smoke and ash, the Civic Center Water Treatment Facility may accept the water on acase-by-case basis. Learn more at www.MalibuCity.org/WoolseySwimmingPools FIRE REBUILD DESK AT MALIBU CITY HALL Awalk-up counter staffed by aplanner is available during City Hall open hours. Meet one-onone with aCity planner who can walk residents through the process of getting atemporary mobile home or trailer placed on their burned property, and help them begin the rebuilding process. Location: 23825 Stuart Ranch Road, Malibu, CA 90265 Hours: Mondaythrough Thursday, 7:30 AM –5:30 PM, Fridays 7:30 AM –4:30 PM Phone and OnlineResources Malibu City Hall main phone: 310-456-2489 Malibu City Fire Rebuild webpage: www.MalibuRebuilds.org Malibu City Debris Removalwebpage: www.MalibuCity.org/Debris Malibu City Planning Department questions: mplanning@malibucity.org Malibu City Planning Department phone: 310-456-2489,ext. 485 Malibu City Building Division questions: mbuilding@malibucity.org LA County WoolseyFire Recovery webpage: www.LACounty.gov/LACountyRecovers
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