1MC.PPT LAST REVISED: 21 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities The Role of the Mission Chaplain Developed as part of the National Emergency Services Curriculum Project

2MC.PPT LAST REVISED: 21 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities What does the MC do? Provide a comprehensive ministry to CAP members, other mission personnel, and the community Recognizes ministry limitations Ensures religious needs of all parties are accommodated as much as possible Function as another set of eyes - an observer of operations Help to address signs of fatigue and emotional stress Services are available to all, but should not interfere with primary mission role for CAP

3MC.PPT LAST REVISED: 21 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Planning the Ministry Report to the IC and discuss the needs of the mission as well as mission chaplain responsibilities Obtain a briefing from any other chaplains that may already be assigned to the mission, and discuss responsibilities

4MC.PPT LAST REVISED: 21 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Planning the Ministry Continued Conduct a needs assessment considering things like: –Stress Level –Number of Personnel –Whether friends and family are expected –Availability of adequate facilities –Food and refreshment requirements Don’t be afraid to re-evaluate your assessment “Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be broken”

5MC.PPT LAST REVISED: 21 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Planning the Ministry Continued Determine a priority for ministry –What areas are most critical –Be flexible – priorities can change Determine how many chaplains will be needed and where Locate a private area where pastoral care can be provided Consider whether field worship services are needed Schedule prayer each morning and evening Make sure food and refreshments are provided

6MC.PPT LAST REVISED: 21 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities The Field Worship Service Locate a meeting place where worshippers can gather apart from other activities Keep it brief – time is a premium Try to include elements of other traditions within your faith group so that worshippers feel comfortable Try to involve others in the service like Character Development Officers or interested staff –Read scripture –Pray –Lead Singing –Help set-up

7MC.PPT LAST REVISED: 21 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities The Field Worship Service If there are worship needs for other faith groups, arrange for local clergy to provide them, or at least provide information about local services Don’t be afraid to use a portable instrument to play recorded music Don’t forget to inform mission personnel that a service will be conducted. They can’t attend if they don’t know, and they will likely be distracted because of mission responsibilities

8MC.PPT LAST REVISED: 21 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Death Notification In most jurisdictions the Sheriff or another local law enforcement agency is responsible Don’t take it upon yourself to notify without authorization – the IC and local law enforcement must be involved Don’t be afraid to suggest a notification team rather than an individual – the chaplain will not make the formal notification, but rather is there to minister to the bereaved

9MC.PPT LAST REVISED: 21 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Death Notification Continued Consider taking your own vehicle so that you can stay and minister after the rest of the notification team leaves if necessary Be sure to plan the notification procedure –Who will talk –What will be said –How much can be said

10MC.PPT LAST REVISED: 21 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Death Notification Continued Obtain as much information as possible –Be absolutely certain that you are notifying the right person and have positive identification of the victim –Premature notification can result in damaging stress and medical complications –Try to find out if the next of kin has a medical condition that would warrant assistance of a doctor when making the notification

11MC.PPT LAST REVISED: 21 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Death Notification Continued Never: –Make the notification by phone –Go alone to make a notification –Carry a personal item of the victim with you –Make a death notification through a closed door

12MC.PPT LAST REVISED: 21 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Death Notification Continued Do; –Get the next of kin to sit down before informing them –Relate the information straight out using a direct approach “I’m sorry to inform you that your husband, Bill, has been killed in an aircraft accident” –Try to assess the stability and state of mind of the next of kin –Be prepared to answer questions about the process –Consider ministry, but do not force it. Unless you already know the attitude of the bereaved, ask permission to pray. –Be prepared to spend some time with the bereaved

13MC.PPT LAST REVISED: 21 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Death Notification Continued Comforting the Bereaved –Do Not: Withdraw from the relative or friend Compare, evaluate, or judge the bereaved responses Look for sympathy for yourself Patronize or pity the person Minimize the event –Do: Be understanding of their feelings Listen, and don’t be afraid to discuss how they feel Show God’s Love, not preach it Encourage friends and family to provide them with healthy foods

14MC.PPT LAST REVISED: 21 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Reporting Chaplain’s Personal Events Log Chaplain’s After Action Report Mission Chaplain’s After Action Report

15MC.PPT LAST REVISED: 21 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Mission Chaplain Tasks C-1000Demonstrate knowledge of the role of the mission chaplain on SAR / DR missions, including crisis ministry skills L-0001 Basic Communications Procedures for ES Operations

16MC.PPT LAST REVISED: 21 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities QUESTIONS? THINK SAFETY!