KITCHENER FIRE DEPARTMENT OPERATING PROCEDURE
Subject: CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS (CIS) POLICY Page: 1 of 2 Prepared By: J. ZINGER / D. SHARP Date Prepared: 2013-02-14 No: HR - 118 Approved By:
Date Revised: Section: HUMAN RESOURCES
1. PURPOSE:
1.1 To identify the need for Critical Incident Stress debriefings or defusings and when they should be implemented.
1.2 To identify the process for initiating the Critical Incident Stress process.
1.3 To educate all KFD personnel on Critical Incident Stress and provide information that they can review.
1.4 To inform all KFD personnel on how to use the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that is provided by the City of Kitchener.
2. DEFINITION:
2.1 CIS - Critical Incident Stress
2.2 Critical Incident Stress - A stress reaction caused from a critical incident. These reactions can be physical, emotional or cognitive
or a combination. These reactions have a potential to interfere with a persons abilities during the incident or later in their personal or professional life.
2.3 Critical Incident - Any tragic or traumatic situation that forces one to face their vulnerability and mortality or that potentially
overwhelms ones ability to cope
2.4 CISM Team - Critical Incident Stress Management Team. This team is peer driven and its main objective is to give support to other
members of the KFD. All members are voluntary and have been trained in the Mitchell Model of Critical Incident Stress Management.
2.5 Defusing - Assistance provided during or shortly after the critical incident or crisis situation trying to normalize an abnormal
situation and to investigate if a debriefing is necessary.
2.6 Debriefing - An opportunity for those involved in the critical incident to address as many thoughts, memories and feelings as
necessary to work through the situation in a supportive manner. This process is facilitated by the CISM Team.
3. RESPONSIBILITY:
3.1 It is the responsibility of all personnel to monitor themselves and their peers for signs of critical incident stress and to address any
such signs.
3.2 It is the responsibility of all personnel to keep CIS related communications confidential from uninvolved people.
3.3 It is the responsibility of the officer/officers at the critical incident to; monitor if a debriefing is necessary; report any critical incident
to the platoon chief and to lead in the defusing of the crews.
3.4 During a debriefing or defusing, it is the responsibility of the P/C and/or A P/C to facilitate the CIS process and the staffing needs
for emergency response.
4. PROCEDURE:
4.1 All KFD personnel are encouraged to read the information that has been supplied in this procedure and share it with family
members. Education is our best defense in dealing with CIS and additional information is available upon request.
4.2 All personnel, especially supervisors should familiarize themselves with the types of incidents that trigger strong emotional
reactions.
KITCHENER FIRE DEPARTMENT OPERATING PROCEDURE
Subject: CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS (CIS) POLICY Page: 2 of 2 Prepared By: J. ZINGER / D. SHARP Date Prepared: 2013-02-14 No: HR - 118 Approved By:
Date Revised: Section: HUMAN RESOURCES
4.3 Debriefings shall be considered for any one of the following but shall not be limited to:
• When an incident has the potential to overwhelm the coping abilities of personnel
• Death or critical injury of a firefighter
• Multi casualty incidents with critical injury and/or death
• Death or serious injury of a child
• Loss of a patient after prolonged rescue attempt
• Victim is known to KFD personnel
• Personal identification with patient or their circumstances
• Incidents where sights, sounds or smells are distressing
• Incidents that attract strong media coverage
4.4 A CIS debriefing or defusing can be requested by any KFD personnel.
4.5 All KFD may contact a member of the CIS team directly if they would like personal direction.
4.6 To initiate the CIS process, a member of the team should be notified directly and they will arrange and deploy the team.
4.7 Debriefings and defusing are treated as confidential, no reports are made and only the personnel that were on that scene will
participate.
4.8 The CIS process is not an operational critique. Participants are encouraged to only focus on their own personal experiences.
4.9 Participation in debriefings and/or defusings is encouraged but completely voluntary.
4.10 There will be a list of CIS members at every hall and dispatch will also have an updated list.
4.11 PC’s or APC’s will ensure that crews on shift will be marked as out of service for the duration of the process.
4.12 The City of Kitchener’s EAP is provided by Homewood Human Solutions and they can be reached directly. This is an anonymous
process. The contact number for the EAP is 1 800 663-1142. When KFD personnel call all they have to do is identify that they work for the City of Kitchener.
5. REFERENCE:
Website for Homewood is www.homewoodhumansolutions.com
6. EXPLANTORY:
None