The acronym CISM is well known in the emergency services industry. A critical incident is any event that evokes strong emotions and overwhelms a person’s ability to cope. These techniques provide timely, valuable intervention for “first responders” who have chosen to serve others.

What would be considered a Critical Incident?

Examples of critical incidents that may require intervention are:

• Officer involved shooting

• Multi-casualty incidents

• Extraordinary or Prolonged events

• Suicide of a colleague

• Line of duty death or serious injury

• Death or violence involving children

• Significant events capable of causing emotional distress for those who are exposed to them.

These few examples are not all-inclusive.

History of CISM

International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) has teams world wide. For over 50 years, this multi level approach has been used as a form of early intervention to assist those exposed to traumatic events. Since 2007, the General Assembly of the United Nations has had a CISM Unit under the Dept. of State and Security.

Studies of major traumatic events revealed that responders experienced some form of stress related symptoms either immediately or even long after the incident. Such as: Mass Shootings, Bombings, Terrorist attacks, Hurricanes, & Pandemics. Prompt response has been shown to decrease stress-related issues.

The CISM process is based on

• Building Resiliency

• Increasing Resistance

• Improving Recovery post-event

These interventions are under no circumstance a form of psychotherapy or a substitute for psychotherapy.