Author: Shari Burrows

What is CISM?

Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), is a crisis intervention program developed for emergency responders. The program contains different levels of interventions designed for the specific needs of the responder, the responder’s family, and/or the need of the unit/agency.
CISM is free and confidential
CISM is all about helping healthy first
responders remain healthy and
functioning after a traumatic event.
CISM is provided by trained first
responders for first responders.
CISM is not psychotherapy; rather, it is a program that teaches first responders to get through the traumatic event.
CISM is not an operational
critique.

It’s never too late for CISM, but the sooner the intervention occurs the better the outcome. If you have any questions about CISM or think you may need an intervention for yourself, your partner, or your unit, please call and don’t wait.

For more information about the Galveston County CISM Team or how you can be involved with a CISM Team
contact:
Shari Forward Team Coordinator, Police and Fire Peer.
281-910-9161 (Cell#)
Email: sforward@friendswood.com
Annette H. Martinez, Asst. Team Coordinator, LCSW, LCDC, Clinical Coordinator, CISM trainer.
409-996-3131 (Cell#)
Email: amartinez34@comcast.net

Galveston County Critical Incident Stress Management Team

Events that may be Traumatic for First Responders (Regardless of time served and not limited to)

Serious line of duty injury
Line of duty death
Suicide of a colleague
Events involving high levels of media coverage
Events involving children
Prolonged Events (i.e. the aftermath of a Hurricane)
Events in which serious
errors have occurred
Fire Fatalities
Events in which an injustice has
occurred, such as, the death of
children in a DWI crash
Bombings
Drowning
Events in which a victim
resembles a loved one
Scenes which are
exceptionally disturbing

Here are some of the signs and
symptoms of a stress reaction
Cognitive:
Confusion
Difficulty making decisions
Lowered concentration
Flashbacks
Nightmares
Emotional:
Irritability
Anger
Grief
Depression
Feeling overwhelmed
Guilt
Increased anxiety
Physical:
Headaches
Fatigue
Increased blood pressure
Rapid breathing
Sleep disturbances
Behavioral:
Changes in ordinary behavior
Withdrawal
Changes in eating habits
Loss of interest
Decreased personal hygiene
Spiritual:
Anger at God or clergy
Questioning basic beliefs
Loss of meaning or purpose
Withdraw from place of worship
Sense of Isolation from God
Some of the Benefits of CISM
Include:
Maintain health and productivity
Prevent traumatic stress effects
Restore personnel to normal functions
Enhance the overall environment in which the person lives and works
Opportunity for expression
Crisis Education