Major Disasters Bring Out the Best in Our Consultant Network

For more than ten years, I’ve been on the front lines of the R3 Continuum call center working in Disruptive Event Management (DEM). During that time, our call center has helped thousands of businesses deal with disasters, major and minor, natural and man-made. While each event is unique, the commonality is the devastating impact these events have on people. In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, I’d like to share some of my observations on the dedicated network of DEM consultants we’ve come to rely on to help those people in the (very literal) eye of the storm.

• When a disaster occurs, R3 Continuum provides customized outreach via the services of our DEM consultants. These consultants are amazing: willing to take calls and accept cases at all hours of the day and night. They maintain their flexibility to rearrange their client schedules and their lives to help those in immediate need, often providing services directly to employees at sites impacted by disaster. They do this because they understand the importance of this work.
• Our consultants care. They show great empathy for the impacted employees and their employers. They also express concern for us at R3 Continuum as we work around the clock to meet every one of our customers’ needs. Together we help each other and support each other as we strive to help those people on the front lines. Support against compassion fatigue is a two-way street here.
• Every consultant in our network is vital. Some are called to provide services in a disaster zone. Others remain available to take cases in their home territory as the unpredictable cycle of disruptive events does not stop for the rest of the country simply because the need is great in one area.

As we take a moment during the rush to help those in the hurricane’s path tap into their own resilience, we at R3 Continuum would like to say thank you to everyone in our network, in every state and territory that we serve. We appreciate all that you do. Thank you for being who you are.

About the Author: Laura Tomkins relocated from Southern Illinois to Grand Rapids, MI, and began working for R3 Continuum in 2006.  She transitioned from a long-time presence in the Response Center to a new role as Network Special Project Coordinator in early 2017.  She enjoys gardening, cooking, and crafting, and loves a good laugh to relieve stress.