The Critical Incident Response Team – How Team Tampa Stays Mission Ready

With a team of 28 multidisciplinary professionals, including psychologists, chaplains and counselors, CIRT provides essential resources to staff members who face trauma and crises as part of their daily work.

CIRT offers emotional and psychological support to employees who may be overwhelmed by the stress of caring for Veterans experiencing significant health crises. The team helps hospital staff process traumatic incidents, offering both individual and group sessions, providing a safe space to discuss their experiences and processing the emotional challenges they face in their work.

The team was formed by Dr. Kimberly Gronemeyer, clinical health psychologist, who affirms the importance of mental health support for employees.

 “We understand the pressure our staff members are under, especially when they form close bonds with the Veterans they care for. It’s crucial that they receive the help they need to continue their vital roles,” said Gronemeyer. “Currently, we have about 28 members on our team from a variety of disciplines like psychologists, chaplains, you name it, providing resources. We provide individuals or groups an opportunity to understand and come to terms with what they went through and educate them about what is normal versus abnormal in response to crisis.”

One tactic of CIRT’s approach is the focus on education and resources. 

“We not only offer support during and after a traumatic event, but we also educate staff on what’s normal in a crisis and how to handle their emotional responses,” said Gabrielle Ayala, health system specialist. “This way, employees can continue to provide excellent care while maintaining their own well-being.”

The program currently serves the over JAHVH 5,000 employees, and demand for their services is growing as the number of Veterans in need of care increases. CIRT ensures that all staff members are equipped with the tools necessary to maintain their mental health and are aware of the resources available to them. By addressing the well-being of employees, the program ensures that Veterans receive care from providers in the best possible psychological state.

“A few of the primary objectives of CIRT is to mitigate the impact of an event, accelerate the recovery process, and assess the need for additional or alternative services and resources.” said Fred’a Hilliard-Gilbert, Veteran Service Representative. “Events such as the one I experienced, may cause powerful emotional reactions in those who are exposed to the crisis. CIRT assists people, like me, in dealing with their trauma, by allowing them to talk confidentially about the incident without the fear of criticism or judgment.”

For more information about CIRT’s initiatives and how they support VA hospital employees, contact Gabrielle Ayala at (813) 919-3009.