CISM Critical Incident Stress Management for Emergency Services Personnel

WHAT ARE CRITICAL INCIDENTS? Events which may cause strong emotional effect on an emergency worker

WHAT ARE CRITICAL INCIDENTS? Line of duty Death or Major Injury

WHAT ARE CRITICAL INCIDENTS? Death or Major Injury of a child

WHAT ARE CRITICAL INCIDENTS? Prolonged Search and Rescue Efforts

WHAT ARE CRITICAL INCIDENTS? Mass Casualty Incidents

WHAT ARE CRITICAL INCIDENTS? Operations involving extensive media coverage

CRITICAL INCIDENTS ARE….. Knowledge of the victim Long extrication Loss of a fellow Emergency Worker

OR…….. Any situation that causes stress to the Emergency Worker

ONE OF THE LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH IN EMERGENCY SERVICE WORKERS IS STRESS-RELATED CARDIAC ARREST Educational programs for dealing with stress on a daily basis are essential in reducing stress.

New Castle County CISM Team Member of Delaware Volunteer Firemen’s Association - DVFA New Castle County Volunteer Firemen’s Association - NCCVFA International Critical Incident Stress Foundation - ICISF Established 1989

NEW CASTLE COUNTY CISM TEAM Volunteer/Paid Personnel Fire Fighters Ladies Auxiliary Paramedics Police Nurses Clergy Mental Health Providers Disaster Workers

GOAL Assist Emergency Service Workers who face a Critical Incident Provide pre-incident education and information on how to overcome stress reactions Prompt activation of the New Castle County CISM Team

SERVICES On-scene support Demobilization Services Defusing Formal debriefings

SERVICES On-scene support

ON SCENE SUPPORT One-on-one support for Emergency Personnel at the scene Provide advice and support incident commanders at the scene on topics of stress management Assist the victims and family members until other help arrives

SERVICES On-scene support Demobilization Services

DEMOBILIZATION SERVICES FOR LARGE SCALE EVENTS (highly intense or unusual) Establish a location away from the scene for out- of-service units Provide support and information on stress effects resulting from the incident Provide a place for command to issue incident updates Provide reassurance that help is only a phone call away

SERVICES On-scene support Demobilization Services Defusing

DEFUSING Initial session for releasing stress Performed 1-3 hours following an incident Provides information and support about managing stress for all personnel involved in the incident Lasts about minutes TOTALLY CONFIDENTIAL

SERVICES On-scene support Demobilization Services Defusing Formal debriefings

FORMAL DEBRIEFINGS The next step in the Stress Management process for workers that have been involved in a critical incident Occurs as a result of follow-up requests Led by a mental health professional with the aid of peer support TOTALLY CONFIDENTIAL

THE EMOTIONAL RESPONSES TO CRITICAL INCIDENTS ARE…. NORMAL REACTIONS BY NORMAL PEOPLE TO ABNORMAL SITUATIONS.

EMERGENCY SERVICES A very demanding profession - career or volunteer Daily emotional and physical demands leading to a strain on minds and bodies Continuous stress without resolution - lessens productivity and shortens careers

CISM INTERVENTION The required preventive maintenance of our minds and bodies

STRESSES FACED BY EMERGENCY SERVICE WORKERS Always on alert Dealing with tragedy Dealing with death

PHYSICAL SIGNS OF STRESS Tension - chest pains, trembling, fidgeting, fumbling Jumpiness - easily startled Cold sweats, dry mouth, pale skin Pounding heart - lightheaded, dizzy Shortness of breath Nausea

PHYSICAL SIGNS OF STRESS Bowel or bladder disturbance Incontinence Fatigue Frequent Illness Day dreaming

EMOTIONAL SIGNS OF STRESS Changes in behavior Anxiety Irritability Lack of attention Lost train of thought Trouble sleeping Grief Crying

EMOTIONAL SIGNS OF STRESS Memory Problems Depression Anger Loss of confidence Rapid Mood Change Taking unnecessary chances Excessive use of Drugs or Alcohol

SIGNS/SYMPTOMS - a cry for help Watch for signs in yourself and co-workers Being aware enables you to help someone. KEEP AN EYE ON EACH OTHER, BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE CAN.

FEELING STRESSED? Keep calm and in control Focus on immediate assignment Talk to someone, anyone, everyone Take a deep breath Shrug your shoulders to reduce tension Keep a sense of humor Stay in touch with your colleagues

FEELING STRESSED? Exercise Eat properly Talk to friends and family, let them know what you are going through REMEMBER… STRESS REACTIONS ARE NORMAL

Keep in touch with loved ones.

WHEN A CRITICAL INCIDENT HAPPENS…. Contact your OIC Officer contacts the New Castle County CISM team via Fire board The CISM coordinator will set up a team and schedule a time for a defusing or debriefing

THINGS THE COORDINATOR NEEDS TO KNOW…. Why CISM is needed? What signs of stress are present? Who was involved? (# of persons) When session can take place? Where to meet and who to contact?

WHAT TO DO WHILE THE TEAM IS RESPONDING…. Support your co-workers

AN INCIDENT MAY TRIGGER REACTIONS FROM A PRIOR INCIDENT

STRESS CAN ACCUMULATE *Don’t let it build up* Talk Talk Talk!!!

STRESS IS EVERYWHERE Take care of Stress Before it takes care of YOU!!

Emergency Workers do not snore, burp, sweat or pass gas. There fore, they must “Bitch or they will BLOW UP!!

REMEMBER…. THE EMOTIONAL RESPONSES TO CRITICAL INCIDENTS ARE…. NORMAL REACTIONS BY NORMAL PEOPLE TO ABNORMAL SITUATIONS.