Fire Department Critical Incident Stress Debriefing

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of the Critical Incident Stress Debriefing policy?

To investigate the cause of critical incidents

To establish a protocol for crisis management in emergency situations

To provide guidelines for emergency responders who have been exposed to traumatic stress (correct)

To evaluate the emotional stability of emergency responders

What is a critical incident, according to the policy?

A crisis that requires immediate attention from emergency responders

Any situation that results in physical harm to emergency responders

A situation that is beyond the scope of emergency responders

A situation that triggers a strong emotional reaction in emergency responders (correct)

What is Critical Incident Stress (CIS)?

A response to a critical incident that is not immediate

The stress triggered by a critical incident (correct)

A coping mechanism used by emergency responders

A type of post-traumatic stress disorder

Who is responsible for approving the Critical Incident Stress Debriefing policy?

The Fire Chief Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Northern Illinois Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Team?

To provide Critical Incident Stress Debriefing services to emergency responders Signup and view all the answers

What is the telephone number of the Northern Illinois Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Team?

1-800-225-2473 Signup and view all the answers

What is the frequency of re-evaluation of the Critical Incident Stress Debriefing policy?

Every two years, on January 1st Signup and view all the answers

What is the Effective Date of the Critical Incident Stress Debriefing policy?

January 1, 2022 Signup and view all the answers

Which incident requires automatic notification?

Line of duty death Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT considered a key indication that debriefing is necessary?

Significant media coverage of a case Signup and view all the answers

Which symptom would indicate a potential need for a debriefing?

Excessive fear or anxiety Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is associated with the intensification of symptoms?

Perception that things may seem to be getting worse Signup and view all the answers

Which option is NOT an example of an incident that may warrant debriefing?

Death of a community leader Signup and view all the answers

What behavior indicates regression in experienced personnel?

Acting like rookies Signup and view all the answers

What type of change may indicate a need for debriefing within a group?

Gross humor worse than usual Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following behaviors would best signify a continuation of symptoms?

Ongoing disruptions in personal life Signup and view all the answers

When can a company officer request a debriefing?

When the officer's crew experienced a traumatic event. Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for notifying the Fire Chief and Deputy Chief of Operations when the CISD system is activated?

The CISD team. Signup and view all the answers

If a firefighter needs a confidential debriefing, who should they contact?

The Deputy Chief of Operations. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Firefighter Peer Support Team?

To provide intervention following an incident, if deemed necessary. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the CISD team's early activation?

It helps determine the type of debriefing required more effectively. Signup and view all the answers

What happens if the chaplain determines a formal debriefing is necessary?

The chaplain contacts the CISD team and notifies the Fire Chief and Deputy Chief of Operations. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the CISD system?

To ensure that firefighters receive appropriate support following traumatic events. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main factor determining the type of debriefing utilized?

The nature of the incident and the timing of the CISD team's activation. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Critical Incident Stress Debriefing

Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) provides an organized approach to managing stress for emergency responders exposed to or showing signs of traumatic stress in the line of duty.

Definitions

A critical incident is any situation that has sufficient emotional power to overwhelm a person's usual coping abilities.
Critical Incident Stress (CIS) is the stress triggered by such an incident.

Policy

The Hoffman Estates Fire Department uses the Northern Illinois Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Team (1-800-225-2473) for CISM.
Automatic notification is required for:
- Line of duty death
- Serious line of duty injury
- Suicide of a team member
- Disaster or major multi-casualty incident
Examples of incidents that may warrant debriefing:
- Significant events involving children
- Death or serious injury to victims known to personnel
- Prolonged incidents (especially if loss of life involved)
- Events that attract unusually heavy attention from the news media
- Highly emotionally charged events

Indications of Debriefing Necessity

Change in behavior:
- Excessive fear or anxiety
- Sleeping disturbances
- Avoidance behaviors
- Death preoccupation
- Confusion
- Acting out (socially unacceptable behavior)
- Suicidal thoughts
Regression: Experienced personnel acting like rookies
Continuation of symptoms
Intensification of symptoms
Group symptoms:
- Mistakes or poor judgment on calls following incident
- Group preoccupation with incident or sequence of events
- Gross humor (worse than normal for personnel)
- Company that usually gets along well together suddenly does not
- Other notable changes in group performance, attitude, or behavior
- Sustained perception of inability to carry out or accomplish previous duties as assigned

Activation/Notification

The CISD process can be initiated by:
- Any Chief Officer
- Company Officers, whose crew experienced a traumatic event
- Any member who feels a need for confidential debriefing (one on one)
The CISD team will evaluate the incident for the type of debriefing required.
The Fire Chief and Deputy Chief of Operations should be notified whenever the CISD system is activated.

Procedure

The CISD team will report to the Command Post when activated and work in a quiet area removed from the incident.
The Firefighter Peer Support Team or the Fire Department chaplain can be contacted for intervention or support following an incident.
The chaplain will meet with the company or individual personnel as necessary and can contact the CISD team if a formal debriefing is necessary.

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Description

This quiz covers the standard operating guidelines for critical incident stress debriefing in the Hoffman Estates Fire Department. It outlines the operational guidelines for firefighters to follow in times of crisis.