Upon reaching out to ERCS, employers promptly connect with a seasoned professional possessing critical incident response expertise. This expert conducts a comprehensive assessment of the situation, discerning immediate needs and formulating a plan for the days that follow. An available option involves offering on-site assistance for both employees and managers.

In certain instances, responders may convene with smaller groups of workers (typically two to 12) on a voluntary basis, providing a platform for sharing feelings. Alternatively, responders may engage in one-on-one sessions with individuals who prefer anonymity or feel uncomfortable in group settings.

Depending on the nature and severity of the event, the critical incident responder or response team may arrive on-site within a few hours. However, it's more common to experience a brief waiting period of 24 to 72 hours. Acknowledging that employees may be in a state of shock immediately following a critical incident, the understanding is that interacting with a professional responder immediately might not be beneficial. The responder, depending on circumstances, may stay for several hours, a full day, or sometimes longer.

These licensed clinicians, equipped with critical response training, focus on providing comfort and education during on-site visits rather than offering counseling or therapy. Sessions with employees, sometimes conducted jointly with managers, aim to review common reactions—both emotional and physical—experienced by individuals who have undergone similar events. The goal is to encourage employees to recognize that their reactions are understandable, reasonable, and likely temporary.