CISM .3A

Question 1

A CISM intervention is usually highly recommended if the incident involved any of the following circumstances____?(5)

Answer 1

(1) Affected personnel were in fear for their lives,
(2) Serious line of duty injury,
(3) A disaster or multi-casualty event,
(4) Death of an active duty member or civilian employee; or
(5) Incidents involving the recovery of human remains.

Question 2

What is the procedures for initiating a CISM?

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Answer 2

Sector Commanders, Commanding Officers (COs), Officers-in-Charge (OINCs), and supervisors can request CISM services by consulting with the cognizant Employee Assistance Program Coordinator (EAPC) or HSWL Regional Practice Manager (RM).

Question 3

What is a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD)?

Answer 3

A structured, seven-phase, small meeting for a homogeneous group to discuss the group members’ reactions to a mutually experienced critical incident.* The discussion aims at reducing stress reactions and enhancing group cohesiveness and group performance. To maximize effectiveness, a CISD should normally occur 24-72 hours after an incident. A CISD typically requires one to three hours. A CISD is not therapy, even though a mental health professional is part ofthe team.

Question 4

What is a Critical Incident Stress Defusing?

Answer 4

A defusing is a small group intervention that is provided to a homogeneous group within hours of the group’s exposure to a critical incident. Usually a defusing lasts no more than 30 minutes.

Question 5

What is the goal of a Critical Incident Stress Defusing?

Answer 5

a. Rapid reduction in the intense reactions to a traumatic event;
b. “Normalize” the experience so people can return to their normal daily routines more quickly;
c. Re-establish the group’s social network so people do not isolate themselves from each other. In recognizing similarities to others, people often are more willing to help each other in troubled times;
d. Provide information on acute stress and a few reminders about how to reduce it;
e. Assess group’s response to determine if a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing should be scheduled; and,
f. Identification of individuals within the group who might benefit from additional support or a referral to other resources