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Lewis County traumatic loss (postvention) team reports 73 calls, expands on-scene response and becomes dispatchable
Summary
Volunteers from the Lewis County traumatic loss team updated legislators on postvention work, on-scene rapid responses, community outreach and funding; the team reported 12 active members, 73 calls with 43 activations and described resources they provide after sudden or traumatic death.
Volunteers from the Lewis County traumatic loss team gave the legislature an update on their postvention work and plans to expand equitable access, including a recent change allowing dispatchers to send the team directly to scenes.
Anna Platts and Carla Hellinger, volunteers with the team, described postvention as an organized response following a suicide or other sudden traumatic death aimed at supporting survivors, preventing further disruption and connecting people to resources. They said the team launched after training in 2017, formally organized in 2018, rebranded in 2021 and expanded to on-scene responses in 2023.
The presenters described two primary response types: scheduled debriefings (planned group meetings arranged days after an event) and active on-scene support where team members meet first responders at the scene to offer immediate emotional support and help manage family or witness needs. They said two team members are on call 24/7 for on-scene activations and that planned debriefings are typically scheduled one to three days after an event when appropriate.
Platts and Hellinger said the team currently has 12 active volunteers and has responded to 73 calls with 43 activations; that total excludes some follow-up work. They listed types of incidents served: suicide, fatal overdose, vehicle crashes (including snowmobile and ATV accidents), farming and other sudden medical events. The team provides resource bags with reading material, information about grief, small comfort items and age‑appropriate materials for children (including the Gizmo book used in schools).
Funding has come from occasional grants, donations and a small legislature-provided budget; the presenters thanked the legislature for a modest annual appropriation and said the county's phone number and in-kind support are part of the team's sustainability plan. They noted that the team won an Excellence in Suicide Prevention Award in state-level recognition and that neighboring counties have sought to replicate Lewis County's model.
The presenters said they are onboarding new volunteers, working to improve follow-up care and collaborating with dispatch to make responses more equitable across geography. They asked legislators to continue modest financial and logistical support for training, equipment and outreach.
