Before, During and After: Rethinking Crisis Response with Ben Fernandez
From The Sound Off On School Safety by Safe and Sound Schools
January 7, 2026 · 45 min
About this episode
Ben Fernandez discusses the importance of comprehensive crisis intervention in schools, emphasizing preparation before, response during, and recovery after a crisis.
When a crisis happens at school, most people focus on the response in the moment. But as school psychologist, public speaker and national crisis-response leader Ben Fernandez reminds us, effective school safety begins long before an incident — and continues long after. In this episode, Michele and Ben unpack the before, during, and after of crisis intervention: how schools can strengthen psychological safety, prepare multidisciplinary teams, and understand the evolving needs of today’s students. Ben shares what he’s learned from decades of leading crisis teams, empowering school-based responders, and helping districts navigate some of their hardest days. Together, they explore what it really takes to support students, staff, and families through acute events — and how communities can build systems that care for the people who care for others. In this conversation: Why physical and psychological safety are “two sides of the same coin” How shifting student needs and trauma histories impact crisis response today What crisis intervention teams do — and where they fit in ICS and EOPs Empowering school mental health staff during acute events Supporting special populations and planning…
People in this episode
Host: Michele
Guest: Ben Fernandez
Topics covered
- crisis response
- school safety
- psychological safety
- crisis intervention
- supporting students
- multidisciplinary teams
Keywords
- crisis intervention
- school psychologist
- psychological safety
- trauma
- crisis teams
- mental health
- student support
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Safe and Sound Schools, ICS, EOPs
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