Critical Incident Stress Management Overview

Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)

• CISM is used to manage the physiological and psychological effects of traumatic incidents on personnel, individuals, or the department as a whole
• A defusing is conducted to handle potentially traumatic effects and can either be done by a CISM team or individual CISM team member
• The CISM team leader is the primary contact for all CISM situations and logs all requests for a defusing
• The CISM team works to coordinate with personnel to determine the need for individual or group defusing meetings
• The CISM team leader will contact additional resources if a higher qualified counselor is needed
• CISM team members are trained in individual and group crisis intervention and mental health first aid
• CISM team members lead the defusing meetings, which allow personnel to express themselves in an open, non-threatening, and non-punitive environment

CISM Activation

• Battalion Commanders or Chief Officers can activate the CISM team by contacting the CISM team leader and requesting a defusing
• Station officers can also request a defusing through their Battalion Commander
• If an “on duty” team member is not available, an “off duty” team member may contacted by the team leader to facilitate a defusing
• The CISM team, or individual team member, is briefed on the incident and any pertinent information
• The CISM team leader determines how many team members are needed for a large event defusing
• The CISM team will gather at a designated location to be briefed on the situation before being delegated to specific locations to talk to personnel

After CISM is Activated

• In small events, the affected crew is taken out of service, and a defusing lasts approximately 30 minutes to one hour
• All crew members are highly encouraged to attend the defusing
• In large events, the affected crew(s) should be taken out of service if possible, and they are also highly encouraged to attend the defusing
• Command staff may also require a defusing after a larger event to handle emotions
• CISM teams from other agencies may be used to assist or to lead the process, depending on the severity of the event
• CISM teams from other agencies will meet with the BCFD CISM team leader to coordinate

Post CISM Activation

• After a small event, the CISM team member will notify the Chief Officer or Battalion Commander who called for the defusing that the defusing is over
• The CISM team member will also address the concerns established during the defusing and how they may affect the crew's work
• The CISM team member provides assistance in finding outside assistance as needed and the CISM team leader is notified of the assistance provided
• After a large event, the CISM team members will brief the team leader on the outcome of their meetings, and have their own defusing afterward
• The CISM team leader works with Chief Officers or Battalion Commanders to determine the best plan for crews and units after the event
• Crews are put back in service as soon as available, but apparatus availability may be dictated by personnel changes
• The CISM team leader is notified after the event for documentation purposes