The most important aspect of dealing with CIS is through pre-incident education for all emergency response individuals and organizations. Two to four hours of course instruction will provide understanding of the individual characteristics that make us who we are and provide some insight into why we do what we do. This training is invaluable to responders, but will be of great interest to family members, as well. This information will focus not so much on the process of Critical Incident Stress Debriefing, but the process of understanding why Critical Incident Stress affects us, and in turn will help each one of us recognize and acknowledge those things that create stress. This pre-incident education could enable us to gain some skills of self-mitigation and coping, skills crucial to all those in emergency services.
Peer Support personnel are those within a specific field of response with education and training that can assist with the process of Critical Incident Stress Debriefing and support. For example...a dog handler trained in the debriefing model and process, can be brought in to assist with the aftermath of a CIS event which involved the use of SAR dogs.
Removed the first sentence since you describe the concept in the rest of the paragraph. Certainly all personnel involved in a particularly difficult event will suffer similar responses. However, a handler will deal specifically with additional stressors, such as extreme expectations and pressure to perform; lack of knowledge and understanding of resource use by management personnel; physical and psychological exhaustion (long term); lack of confidence; bonding with family and friends of missing subject on long term basis; perceived fear of injury to partner...and many more issues.
To become involved with CIS education, one must first understand the personal process. How does stress affect me? How does it affect my performance? My ability to communicate clearly? My interpersonal relationships (co-workers, family, friends)? What steps can I take as an individual/organization to mitigate stress pre-incident (training, communicating,)? What steps can be taken to form a cohesive and accepting team based on this education?
Once the initial concept of CIS is recognized and acknowledged (two different steps), then additional training on the model used for debriefing and other support processes will allow the SAR Dog handler (or other specific resource/discipline) to become part of the peer support community. This support does not necessarily have to come in the form of a peer support debriefer, but may be used on a more personal level. To be better able to understand, acknowledge and accept the stress responses of those with whom we work will add a great deal to the community of Search and Rescue.
The commitment for the course material would be approximately 12-16 hours of classroom time. A full eight hours can be devoted to the education process (pre-incident education for all responders). This would include lecture, discussion and group dynamics. An additional four to six hours will be required for those who would like to include understanding and knowledge of the model used for CIS debriefing and support. This four to six hour module will provide training as a "Peer Support" provider. Additional information provided through lecture, discussion, group dynamics and demonstration will include: on-scene support, demobilization, organizational/individual defusing, formalized Critical Incident Stress Debriefing model requirements, follow-up after a formal debrief and professional counseling references.
The instructor will provide course material, handouts, equipment and tools necessary for course implementation. A facility to hold the number of registered participants will be needed. This facility should be comfortable, well lighted, easily accessible and "dog friendly". Each participant will be asked to provide a deep interest in the personal empowerment of themselves, their peers and their organization.
Course material will likely bring to mind events and emotions. That is to be expected. An acceptance of your own and others emotions is critical to the understanding of this process. The course is not intended as a "Critical Incident Stress Debriefing," but often times has the potential to work toward some personal understanding. Each participant is encouraged to share thoughts, feelings and ideas toward a better understanding of the stressor common in SAR work.
Expected Costs of the Course
The total cost to individual participants should be kept as low as possible to better encourage participation. The instructor will require expenses to include mileage, housing and meals, course costs of handouts and materials. Being a long time SAR volunteer, the housing and meal issue can be easily and simply taken care of with a place for sleeping bag, a warm morning shower and a place to keep food and beverages.
A registration fee of $15.00 should allow for ease in taking care of instructor expenses and the cost of facility and refreshments. (This is suggested only). Cost can be determined by the requesting agency based on the requirements.
Critical Incident Stress has been my passion for the past ten years. It is my sincere belief that CIS education for all emergency response personnel could mitigate the impact and long term effects of this stress.
