CISM now in External Resource List. Critical Incident Stress Management Teams are regional groups of trained individuals who provide post traumatic incident stress debriefings for 1st responder personnel. Services are free and made up of trained volunteers from the mental health and emergency professions. Peers from law enforcement, fire service, dispatch, emergency medical services and hospital emergency room staff are all represented on the team. The focus of CISM is to provide "psychological first aid" and to minimize the harmful effects of job stress, particularly in crisis or emergency situations. These are regional teams. Here is an example of what they provide:
The Northern Illinois CISM team is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization made up of trained volunteers from emergency services and mental health professions. Peers from law enforcement, fire service, dispatch, emergency medical services, chaplains, and hospital emergency room staff are all represented on the team. The unique collaboration between skilled peers and mental health professionals is the foundation of the organization and produces a high level of integrity and acceptance within the emergency service community.
There are no fees for our crisis services. We are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Call our toll free number: 800-225-2473.
Common situations for which we are contacted include:
Line of duty death
Serious line of duty injury
Officer involved shootings
Emergency worker suicide
Multi-casualty incident
Victims known to responder
Failed rescue after extensive efforts
Hostage situations/fatal outcomes
There are many other circumstances where it may be beneficial for the Northern Illinois CISM team to be contacted. Please do not hesitate to call us for any concerns or questions you may have.
Please check the Search External Resources listing under Critical Incident Stress Management for the team in your area.