An Overwhelming Day (Days)

Watching and listening to the unfolding news at Virginia Tech is so sad.  What we are seeing is a display of overwhelming grief, loss, and the stunning reality that something so awful and horrible can actually happen "in our community!"

In the aftermath of the Pearl High School shooting, I, along with others, provided Critical Incident Debriefing, death notifications, investigation, and support to faculty, students, Law Enforcement, and Emergency Workers (EMS, FIRE, etc.)  Here are some things that I know from living through this and hopefully it will help others pray more effectively for folks at Virginia Tech.  These are not necessarily in order of importance:

1. Yesterday was without question the"longest day" that most of the folks involved have ever lived. The day never ended - it just ran on into today. 
2. People who responded to the scene are somewhat accustomed to tragedy on a small scale - but something like this overwhelms everyone.
3.  Most of the people doing the work of notification, investigation, emergency medical care etc. have not stopped and will not slow down for another day or so.  They need lots of prayer and support.
4.  There is an emotional tsunami that is just really getting started.  The families who lost students, students who lost friends, faculty who lost co-laborers, students and faculty who lost one another - it will be sweeping upward into a tidal wave. 
5. Much of the anger you hear being directed at the University leadership and Law Enforcement is grief.
6. Changes may need to be made in the University's security plan - but now is really not the time for every
talking head on TV to speculate about it.  How is your company, church, school, city prepared to handle a mass shooting on this scale?  ANSWER - they are not. You can never really be "prepared" for something quite like this.  Now is a good time to do what many are already doing - stepping up and offering help.
7. After the Pearl shooting, we just needed people to hold (hug) students. Some did not stop shaking for hours.
8. Emotions are at a fever pitch - Hopefully, big decisions can be laid aside for a few days to allow everyone to collect themselves.
9. The families need support.  Those supporting them will need support in a few days. Aftercare for caregivers (that includes Law enforcement, University officials, Faculty - EMS workers, Fire Dept. and couselors), all of these will need to talk out things with someone.  I know because after two weeks of nearly around the clock work at the Pearl shooting I melted down emotionally.  Our tragedy saw two young ladies killed and seven wounded. I cannot imagine how much more difficult 33 deaths and multiple injuries must be.
10. Rumor control is difficult. Rumors compound and overwhelm people who need to spend their time dealing with what has happened - not battling the conjecturing of those who know little about the circumstances.
11. Many wonderful people will be discovered in this tragedy.
12. Many self-proclaimed experts who are self serving - and to put it bluntly- who are jerks - will emerge as well.
13. The National Media will be helpful at points - and nauseating at points. 
14. Criticism of the unfolding process is easy for onlookers - but for those doing the work - it is the hardest work they have ever done.  People should remember that those working this tragedy have feelings and families.
I could write much more - and may - but maybe these things will give you some perspective.  I didn't dream them up - I, and others, have lived it!

Comments

[Tammy Smith]

This terrible day is a reminder that emergency workers need prayer every day. Right now we should especially pray for those involved at VT but having a sister who is an EMT, I pray for EMS, police, firemen every time I see them running with their lights on. I pray for their wisdom & protection & for those they are going to help. It is far too thankless a job that I'm so proud of her for doing but am actually thankful it is not my calling in life. Thanks for the reminder to pray for them.
Love in Christ,
Tammy (aka 'proud to be Suzy's sister!')

[Lesley]

It's weird what kind of reactions these things can make you have. As soon as I saw the headline that the shooting started in a dorm building, I got up and locked my door.

I agree that people need to not criticize the school administration and law enforcement right now. It's hard enough to keep really good security on a daily basis at a small campus like USM, but to try to keep people safe on a huge campus at VT with tons of students is going to be a major undertaking. People should think about these things before automatically pointing fingers.