Corey Conrady: The Rural Firefighter This article is dedicated to all fire departments, not just rural, and the kinds of things we deal with as firefighters who live and serve in the communities we have grown up in. Drummond FD
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Critical Incident Stress Management
What is it? What does it do? When I came on the job, you simply dealt with the stresses of the stuff that you saw: burned bodies and severe trauma to the human body. It wasn’t always the gory stuff that got to you, either. Children sitting in highchairs with cockroaches crawling through their food, the stench of some homes, or simply the unkind acts committed toward other human beings were also unsettling. We dealt with this stuff in many ways -- humor, exercise, teasing and hazing, getting away from the crew for a little bit, or simply going home and hugging the kids or kicking the dog! Since the end of World War II and the Vietnam War, there have been numerous studies dealing with stress. Much of what was learned was passed to other professions, including the fire service. What is Critical Incident Stress? Here’s a definition from OSHA. Workers responding to emergency events and or disasters will see and experience events that will strain their ability to function. These events, which include having to witness or experience tragedy, death, serious injuries and threatening situations are called “Critical Incidents.” The physical and psychological well-being of those experiencing this stress, as well as their future ability to function through a prolonged response, will depend upon how they manage this stress. How do I recognize Critical Incident Stress? Critical incidents may produce a wide range of stress symptoms, which may appear immediately at the scene, a few hours later or within days of the incident. Stress symptoms usually occur in four different categories: Cognitive (thinking), Physical (body), Emotional (feelings) and Behavioral (actions). The more symptoms experienced, the more powerful the stress reaction. The longer the symptoms persist, the more potential there is for lasting harm.
When persons experience significant stress from a critical incident, the following steps may help to reduce the stress until the incident is over or until the U.S. SAR Task Force Critical Incident Stress Management Team arrives: ● Limit exposure to sights and sounds. ● Provide an immediate rest break of at least 15 minutes. ● Have someone stay with the distressed person. ● Provide non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated fluids. ● Allow the person to talk about the experience. ● Protect the person from bystanders and the media. ● Reassure the person that the stress experience is normal; most people recover very well from stress. ● Show appreciation for the person’s work. ● Do nothing to embarrass the person. ● Listen to the person. ● Don’t take the person’s anger or other feelings personally. Don’t tell them that they are “lucky it was not worse” – traumatized people are not consoled by those statements. Instead, tell them that you are sorry such an event has occurred and you want to understand and assist them. Fortunately, help is available.
What is Critical Incident Stress Debriefing? Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) is a facilitator-led group process conducted soon after a traumatic event with individuals considered to be under stress from trauma exposure. When structured, the process usually (but not always) consists of seven steps: Introduction; Fact Phase; Thought Phase; Reaction Phase; Symptom Phase; Teaching Phase; and Re-entry BEHAVIORAL Phase. During the group process, participants are encouraged to describe their experience of the incident and its aftermath, fol● Inability to rest lowed by a presentation on common stress reactions and stress ● Withdrawal management. This early intervention process supports recovery ● Antisocial behavior by providing group support and linking responders to further ● Increased alcohol counseling and treatment services if they become necessary. consumption Again help is available. if you need immediate support with ● Change in a critical stress event in Oklahoma, contact the Oklahoma Fire communications Service Chaplains. Or in an emergency, contact Pastor Gary ● Loss/increase in Lillie (Hawley Fire) at 580-541-5980 or Brett Key (Warriors Rest appetite Foundation) at 405-252-7489.
Signs & Symptoms Individuals express stress in different ways and therefore manifest different reactions. The list below is not exhaustive but will help to identify workers who are exhibiting stress reactions.
PHYSICAL
COGNITIVE
EMOTIONAL
● Fatigue ● Chills ● Unusual thirst ● Chest pain ● Headaches ● Dizziness
● Uncertainty ● Confusion ● Nightmares ● Poor decision making ability ● Poor concentration, memory ● Poor problem solving ability
● Grief ● Fear ● Guilt ● Intense anger ● Apprehension & depression ● Irritability ● Chronic anxiety
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