Critical Incident Stress

1
Critical Incident Stress

• Developed as part of the National Emergency
  Services Curriculum Project

2
What is it?

• Critical Incident Reactions
• Happen after intense, unusual, or abnormal events
• Aircraft Accident Site
• Fatalities
• Not finding a missing person or aircraft
• May not appear right away
• Reactions are normal

3
Reactions are classified as PHYSICAL EMOTIONAL CO
GNITIVE BEHAVIORAL
4
Reaction Types

• PHYSICAL
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• EMOTIONAL
• Denial
• Fear
• Depression

5
Reaction Types Continued

• COGNITIVE
• Nightmares
• Sleep Disturbance
• Memory Problems
• BEHAVIORAL
• Antisocial
• Withdrawal
• Restlessness

6
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Meeting

• Non specific expectations
• Confidential
• Discussion
• Review
• Resources Available
• Referrals

7
CISM Team Makeup

• Medically qualified personnel
• Fellow Team Members
• Chaplains
• Technical Experts

8
Critical Incident Stress Tasks

• There are no specific Critical Incident Stress
  Tasks, but all members of the emergency services
  team should be conscious of the problems that
  could occur from being involved in stressful
  missions and seek help as necessary