|
Purpose
To outline the procedures of implementing the Department’s Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) as it pertains to the members of the St. John’s Regional Fire Department (SJRFD). This program is intended to reduce the impact on SJRFD members exposed to critical incidents.
|
Background
The SJRFD, as per The Wellness and Fitness Initiative, is committed to providing education and minimizing the harmful effects of job stress, particularly in crisis or emergency situations; therefore, the CISM process provides a means to alleviate potential stress-related symptoms. Further, a CISM Team will provide on-going counselling and immediate crisis intervention.
This replaces POG #02-02-01 dated 2014/02/12.
|
Policy Statement
When a critical incident is determined by the officer in charge, the “CISM Process” will be initiated.
Such critical incidents include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Death or serious injury of either a fire department member on or off shift, a member’s dependent(s) when firefighting personnel are involved, or civilian(s) resulting from fire department operations.
2. Death or serious injury of a child resulting from:
a. Neglect
b. Violence
c. Conditions so extreme as to have a lasting effect on fire department personnel
3. An incident that is charged with profound emotion (e.g., firefighter placed in danger due to firearms, hostage situation, or threats of physical harm).
4. An incident where firefighters have been exposed to toxic or unknown chemicals which are likely to have lasting physical or mental side effects.
5. Any situation where an individual feels he or she must receive assistance.
6. Cumulative Stress.
The CISM Process shall be:
· Officer in Charge notifies the Platoon Chief immediately of the critical incident or the Deputy Chief in his/her absence.
· Platoon Chief notifies the Deputy Fire Chief , and if determined to be a critical incident, the Platoon Fire Chief shall then notify
· the Behavioral Health Coordinator
· required CISM trained personnel to assist with peer support, defusing or debriefing
· The Platoon Chief will notify the Occupational Health Nurse of CISM interventions for statistical and follow up purposes as required.
· If further intervention is required, the Occupational Health Nurse will refer to a Community based Mental Health Professional.
· At times when a 911 dispatcher answers a 911 call, he/she may have an indication of the situation in which SJRFD crews are responding (i.e., suicide, road traffic accident with death, a potential DOA upon arrival, etc.). If this is the case, 911 dispatchers shall notify the Platoon Chief to inform him/her of the nature of the call. The Platoon Chief will then determine how to move forward with CISM.
Note:
· Education sessions will be presented during orientation and periodic in-house sessions as needed to inform personnel of process and the signs and symptoms and resources available.
· A list of personnel trained on CISM is available in the Fire Captain’s and Platoon Chief’s offices at all stations.
· Attendance at an intervention for the affected crew will be mandatory; however, participation is voluntary. All intervention will be strictly confidential.
· The defusing process is recommended to be carried out as soon as possible after an incident, preferably within 24 hours of the event. The affected crew will be removed from call temporarily during the process.
· Debriefings as required will be conducted by Mental Health professionals within the recommended 72 hours of the incidents. This will be determined by the Deputy Fire Chief in consultation with the Behavioral Health Coordinator.
· Should any member require an intervention at any time following a critical incident (at work or outside of work), they may contact in confidence the Behavioral Health Coordinator, a senior Officer, the Occupational Health Nurse or a Union representative to initiate the appropriate intervention. |
|
|
Approvals
Director/Chief of SJRFD
|
Responsibility
St. John's Regional Fire Department
POG #02-02-01
Approved by:
_________________________________________ ________________________
Jerry F. Peach Date
Fire Chief
Director of Regional Fire and Emergency Services
|
Appendix/Appendices
|
|