ABSTRACT
This chapter offers the experiences of Margaret McGee-Smith, a registered nurse with over 40 years psychiatric nursing experience, following the 2013 wildfire which engulfed vast swathes of Yarnell, Arizona. It led to 19 tragic fire crew fatalities and numerous non-fatal injuries. McGee-Smith offers invaluable insight into the practicalities of creating a disaster mental health team, both from the perspective of supporting those affected by the disasters as well as supporting those volunteers who had come to aid survivors (in order to enable them to better help). The chapter rounds off with a section on lessons learned as a result of her experiences responding to many disasters.
