Support for workplaces
Critical Incident Response
Coordinated, trauma-informed support for your people after a serious workplace event, planned with you before anything happens.
What it is
A critical incident is a sudden event at work that can overwhelm people's usual ways of coping. ESS helps you plan for these moments, then provides coordinated clinical support to the people affected and guidance to the leaders responding.
Forms of support
- Right-now telephone support to steady the people affected
- Individual and group debriefing, trauma-informed
- Onsite clinical support where in-person help is appropriate
- Virtual or phone sessions for anyone who cannot be onsite
- Consultation for leaders on what to say and do next
- Follow-up counselling, resources and an anonymous summary report on request
When to call us
- Workplace accidents or fatalities
- Acts of violence or threats
- An employee suicide or suicide attempt
- Natural disasters
- Significant security breaches
- Mass layoffs or organizational crises
What to tell us when you call
- The type of incident
- How many people are affected
- The location, and the support you would like (for example onsite debriefing or one-on-one sessions)
- Your preferred format: in person, virtual or phone
How we approach it
- Trauma-informed Support that recognizes how distress shows up and avoids pushing people to retell events before they are ready.
- Culturally responsive Clinicians who respect the cultures, languages and beliefs of the people affected.
- Systems-informed Attention to the team, the workplace and the services around people, alongside individual reactions.
When employers use it
- A serious accident, death, threat or act of violence affects your team
- You want a response plan agreed before anything happens
- People need debriefing and follow-up after a hard event
How it works
- 1Request and triageYou call or email with the type of incident, how many people are affected, the location and the support you would like. A designated member of our team triages the request promptly.
- 2Clinical assessmentA Clinical Lead assesses the situation and chooses the right format, in person, virtual or phone, based on the nature of the incident, urgency, location and who is affected.
- 3Employer coordinationThe Clinical Lead confirms logistics, confidentiality and employee needs with your designated contact. Interim phone support is offered to the people affected right away.
- 4Appropriate supportTrauma-informed clinicians provide individual or group debriefing, in person where appropriate and feasible, or virtually or by phone.
- 5Follow-up and recoveryFollow-up counselling options and resources for continued care, a check-in with your contact to assess remaining needs, and an anonymous summary report on request.
If anyone is in immediate danger, call 911 first.
Why it matters
For your people
- Steady, compassionate support after a frightening or painful event
- Support in the format that fits: onsite, virtual or phone
- A clear path to more care if they need it
For your organization
- A plan agreed in advance, so leaders can respond calmly
- Guidance for leaders on what to say and do next
- An anonymous summary report on request
Common questions about Critical Incident Response
How do we request support after an event?
Can we prepare before anything happens?
Why does preparing matter?
What it costs
Readiness session $750 each. Onsite clinical support from $1,500 each. Every annual plan includes readiness planning; response terms are confirmed in your agreement.
Standard pricing. As partners, we shape it with you around your needs, funding and scope. Your written proposal confirms final fees, taxes and terms.
Ways to arrange it
- On-Demand, with no annual fee
- As part of an annual plan, when you need it
- Alongside an existing EFAP
Scope and boundaries
ESS coordinates clinical support around emergency services. Response targets and any onsite deployment, including staffing, travel and aftercare, are confirmed in your agreement.
Interested in Critical Incident Response?
Add Critical Incident Response to your plan, or talk it through with our team.