cismPeninsulas EMS Council is host to one of 15 regional Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Teams located throughout Virginia.  The PEMS CISM Team is made up of trained, highly qualified volunteers who interact with emergency services personnel to mitigate the stress and trauma effects inherent in providing emergency medical care to our communities.

Examples of critical incidents may include:

  •  Suicides
  •  Injury/death of an emergency responder
  •  Prolonged events
  •  Injury/death of children
  •  Mass casualty incidents
  •  Threats to responder safety
  •  Natural disasters
  •  Man-made disasters

A single highly stressful event or series of less stressful events can cause the emergency service professional to suffer stress reaction symptoms. These symptoms may include:

These symptoms may include:
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • GI upsets
  • Memory loss
  • Concentration problems
  • Problem solving difficulties
  • Anxiety
  • Fears
  • Depression
  • Identification with victims
  • Nightmares
  • Flashbacks
  • Fear of repetition of stressful event
  • Mood swings
  • Changes in sleep patterns
  • Changes in eating habits
  • Changes in work habits
  • Unusual actions or behaviors

Click here to download a flyer with this information to post in your common areas.

Generally, the CISM Team provides one of three services, depending on the nature of the circumstances:

  • A DEFUSING is an intervention done within 8 hours of an incident. It is an informational session lasting about 40 minutes. This is ideal if the crew is going on a break and may mitigate some stress related problems early on.
  • A DEBRIEFING should be requested if stress symptoms continue beyond the first 48-72 hours of the incident. Overwhelming stress symptoms usually occur in the first 24-48 hours following a critical incident. If you or your agency is in need of CISM Team assistance, please contact the Peninsulas CISM Team.
  • A DEMOBILIZATION is a 20-30 minute informal session used at disasters and incidents that may be extended and have more than 100 responders. It is a step down session that assists a crew or company in transitioning from the scene to normal duty.


The Peninsulas EMS Council's Regional CISM team can be activated whenever it is deemed necessary by an individual or an agency by calling the 24 Hour Team Access Number at 757-220-4356. If you do not get a response from the page within a reasonable amount of time, please call the PEMS Office at 804-693-6234 or the Team Coordinator at 804-366-7189.


For more information or to submit a CISM Team Membership application , please contact  the staff liaison here.

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CISM Meeting Documents

2016

06 20 16 PEMS Critical Incident Management Team Meeting Minutes

09 19 16 PEMS Criticial Incident Stress Management Team Meeting Minutes (Draft)

 

2017

09 18 17 PEMS Critical Incident Stress Management Team Meeting Agenda & Minutes

12 11 17 PEMS Critical Incident Stress Management Team Agenda (Draft)

12 11 17 PEMS Critical Incident Stress Management Team Meeting Minutes (Draft)

12 11 17 PEMS Critical Incident Stress Management Team Meeting Minutes Final

2018

03 19 18 PEMS Critical Incident Stress Management Team Meeting Agenda & Minutes

06 18 18 PEMS Critical Incident Stress Management Team Meeting Agenda

06 18 18 PEMS Critical Incident Stress Management Team Meeting Minutes (Draft)

10 15 18 PEMS CISM Team Meeting Agenda

10 15 18 PEMS CISM Team Meeting Minutes

12 17 18 PEMS CISM Team Meeting Agenda & Minutes

2019

03 18 19 PEMS CISM Team Meeting

04 29 19 PEMS CISM Team Meeting (Special Call) Minutes (Draft)

06 17 19 PEMS CISM Team Committee Meeting

09 16 19 PEMS CISM Team Committee Meeting 

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Critical Incident Stress Management Team (CISM) Committee

The PEMS CISM Team policies, procedures and activies are coordinated by the CISM Team Committee.  Consisting of CISM Team members and a PEMS staff member who provides administrative and logistical support, the committee meets quarterly to facilitate the CISM Team's business. 

dark blue horiz line290x10Important Links

International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc.

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