Transcript CISM
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 outof-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 45-60 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 • Lost train of thought • Anxiety • Trouble sleeping • Irritability • Grief • Lack of attention • 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.