Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District Critical Incident Stress Management Procedure PDF

Standard Operating Procedure Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District Supplemental Manual 401 Critical Incident Stress Management 401.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE: To recognize the operation of the Tri-County Critical Incident Stress Management Team. The C.I.S.M. Team consists of Fire, Police, E.M.S....

Standard Operating Procedure Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District Supplemental Manual 401 Critical Incident Stress Management 401.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE: To recognize the operation of the Tri-County Critical Incident Stress Management Team. The C.I.S.M. Team consists of Fire, Police, E.M.S. employees, and Mental Health Professionals trained in stress related intervention and oriented to the workings of emergency response agencies. The purpose of the C.I.S.M. Team and Lehigh Acres Fire Control & Rescue District is to offer the services of the C.I.S.M. Team to department personnel who may have difficulty coping with circumstances they experience during highly traumatic events and provide support and education on critical incident stress. One member of the Department (a certified employee) should stay active on the Tri-County Team and serve as a peer debriefer and Department Coordinator. This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is to be utilized by all personnel and it shall be the goal of the District to provide every member an opportunity for crisis intervention or critical incident stress debriefing within 72 hours of their involvement in a critical incident where the symptoms suggest it or are recognized. 401.2 DEFINITIONS/TERMINOLOGY: (a) Critical Incident Stress (CIS) any situation faced by Emergency Service Personnel that causes them to experience strong emotional reactions that have the potential to interfere with their ability to function either on the scene or after returning from the scene. Even though the event may be over, you may experience strong emotional or physical reactions. It is very common, and quite normal for people to experience stress reactions when they have been involved in a traumatic event. (b) Sometimes the stress reactions appear immediately after the traumatic event or they may appear a few hours or days later. Sometimes they appear weeks or months after the event; this is a concern since there is a potential for developing cumulative stress. (c) The signs and symptoms of a stress reaction may last a few days, weeks, or months and occasionally longer depending on the severity of the event and the ability to process the event. The understanding and support of coworkers and loved ones will help process the event more quickly. There may be times that the traumatic event is so painful that professional assistance from a Mental Health Professional may be necessary. This does not imply mental health problems or weakness; it indicates that the event was too difficult to manage by yourself. 401.3 CONFIDENTIALITY: (a) It shall be understood that all C.I.S.M. Team members will keep the information said to them confidential. This includes defusings, debriefings and one-on-one interventions. (b) The topics discussed and personnel involved will be maintained in the strictest of confidence. The Team members are not investigators involved in the administrative and/or criminal investigation of the critical incident. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/05/22, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District Critical Incident Stress Management - 1 Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District Supplemental Manual Critical Incident Stress Management (c) The Team will have nothing to do with fixing blame or responsibility on the Department or employees and will refrain from any discussion involving blame or responsibility. (d) No notes or records will be made of any discussions held by Team members and no communications will be written. (e) Defusings and Debriefings will not be subject to or focus of internal investigations and the Team members will not divulge information or knowledge of such sessions. (f) All sessions (group or singular) conducted by licensed Mental Health Professionals are confidential and considered privileged communications under 491.0147 F.S. and not subject to subpoena. The peer debriefers fall under the umbrella of the Mental Health Professionals. 401.4 PROCEDURES: (a) The Company Officers and Chief Officers must be cognizant of their personnel. If they determine that they or any of their personnel are experiencing difficulties after an incident, they must make the necessary notifications and seek assistance for the personnel involved. 401.5 TRI-COUNTY C.I.S.M. TEAM NOTIFICATION: (a) The Tri-County C.I.S.M. Team can be activated by the on-duty Battalion Chief(s) or the Department Coordinator. The Tri County Coordinator’s number is 239 851-6318 401.6 MANDATORY NOTIFICATIONS: (a) (b) The Department Coordinator will be notified if any of the following situations/ incidents occurs: 1. Death or serious injury to Department Personnel or family 2. Death or serious injury to children 3. Fire Fatality 4. Mass Casualty Incidents 5. Incidents of Long Duration 6. As deemed necessary by the on-duty Battalion Chief 7. Major vehicle crash involving Department apparatus When the notification is made to the Department Coordinator or Tri-County Team Coordinator the following information must be provided: 1. Date and Time of Incident 2. Number of Personnel Involved 3. Type of Incident 4. Contact Person (w) Telephone Number Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/05/22, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District Critical Incident Stress Management - 2 Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District Supplemental Manual Critical Incident Stress Management 401.7 DEFUSING: (a) A defusing can be an individual or group process. If necessary, this can be conducted on the scene or upon returning to the stations. (b) The defusing should occur 1-3 hours after the incident and in a location that is quiet and comfortable. (c) If a defusing is held on scene, it must be done away from visual sight of the scene. (d) The defusing will be done by the Department Coordinator. If the Department Coordinator is not available, then the Tri-County C.I.S.M. Team Coordinator will be notified, and they will send someone to do the defusing. (e) The primary purpose for the defusing is to educate the personnel of possible stress reactions along with coping skills in caring for themselves (i.e., food, rest, things to avoid, etc.). (f) Personnel are encouraged to unwind during this session and express their feelings if they feel comfortable in doing so. The session is not to be a critique of the incident. (g) If possible, personnel involved in the defusing should be taken out of service. (h) Upon completion of the defusing, it should be determined if personnel involved are able to return to duty. This determination can be made by the Chief of Department, if advised a necessity. 401.8 DEBRIEFING: (a) A formal debriefing is not mandatory, but Department personnel are encouraged to participate. (b) Debriefings will normally be scheduled on the employees off duty time to ensure no distractions. (c) In the event personnel are on duty on the day of the debriefing, they will have relief personnel covering their positions. (d) A debriefing will generally be held between 48 and 72 hours after the incident. For certain incidents a shorter or longer time frame may be appropriate. This decision will be made by the Department Coordinator and the Mental Health Professional from the Tri-County C.I.S.M. Team. (e) There will be no media or uninvolved observers allowed in the debriefing. (f) Note taking, recorders, and/or video equipment is strictly prohibited. (g) Only C.I.S.M. Team members and those emergency service personnel directly involved in the incident will be allowed to attend. (h) Sessions for family members if necessary, will be determined by the Tri-County C.I.S.M. Mental Health Professionals. (i) All personnel involved in the debriefing will give their full attention to the debriefing session. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/05/22, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District Critical Incident Stress Management - 3 Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District Supplemental Manual Critical Incident Stress Management (j) All radios, pagers and cell phones will be turned off. No personnel phone calls/ interruptions will be allowed during the session. (k) Personnel are reminded that sessions are not critiques and that there is no rank in the room. 401.9 FOLLOW-UP: (a) In the days following a defusing or debriefing, the Department Coordinator will contact the personnel involved in the process. In the event personnel are still experiencing difficulties, a Mental Health Professional from the Tri-County C.I.S.M. Team will be contacted, and the person(s) involved will be referred to them for a follow-up. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/05/22, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District Critical Incident Stress Management - 4