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SEMO Critical Incident Stress Management Network

Regional Coordinator - Debi Oliver - 573-270-6105 (Cell)

If you need an emergency debriefing, call 800-609-1559 . . . Assistance is only a phone call away This line is manned 24/7!!!

The Network CISM team in your area is there to assist you and other emergency service workers who may be experiencing normal symptoms of stress brought on by normal reactions to abnormal situations or events.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost for CISM services? How do you access the SEMO CISM Network?
What is a critical incident? What is the area of coverage?
What is Critical Incident Stress Management ? What are the focus groups of the CISM network?
What services are provided by the network? What are the symptoms of stress?

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WHAT IS THE COST FOR CISM SERVICES?

The Network, Teams or Team members are composed of police officers, dispatchers, fire fighters, nurses, doctors, EMT's, mental health professionals and clergy who volunteer their time to make these services available to you. Network members are prohibited from accepting remuneration of any kind for services rendered.


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WHAT IS A CRITICAL INCIDENT?

A critical incident is any situation faced by emergency personnel that causes them to experience unusually strong feelings that may interfere with their ability to function either at the scene, work, or at home. Critical incidents may include events such as:

1.      Suicides
2.      Death of a co-worker
3.      Serious injury of a partner
4.      Prolonged intense events
5.      Death or injury of a child
6.      Multiple casualty events
7.      Threats to worker safety
8.      Natural or man-made disasters

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WHAT IS CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS MANAGEMENT?

CISM teams are designed to provide interventions following critical incidents to any agency requesting assistance. The focus of this service is to minimize the harmful effects of a job related stress, particularly in crisis or emergency situations. Interventions are confidential and each person's feelings, concerns, and statements are respected.

The Network is dedicated to delivering Critical Incident Stress Management services to emergency service providers throughout Southeast Missouri

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WHAT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY THE NETWORK?

ON-SCENE INTERVENTIONS

Team members may observe, identify possible stress reactions, provide support and encouragement, and be available to help resting personnel deal with stress reactions.

DEFUSINGS

Interventions performed within a few hours of a critical incident are particularly valuable in managing stress. These sessions are generally brief and provide information to emergency providers on possible effects of stress that they may experience and means to reduce undesirable side effects.

DEBRIEFINGS

An intervention performed 24-72 hours after a critical incident is known as a debriefing. It is a confidential discussion of roles, thoughts, and feelings generated by the incident. It is not a critique session of clinical or performance issues related to the event.

DEMOBILIZATIONS

These are short informational sessions with providers as they leave the scene of an event.

INDIVIDUAL REFERRALS

Providers may request confidential referral to professional mental health services in their area.

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HOW DO YOU ACCESS THE SEMO CISM NETWORK?

1. Call 1-800-609-1559

2.      You will be asked to provide some basic details about the incident.

3.      The CISM Clinical Coordinator and the appropriate Team Leader will be notified. The Team Leader will contact you and activate the most appropriate team members to assist you with management of the stress component of the critical incident.

4.      Each intervention team is tailored to the nature of the incident and those providers involved. One to several team members may provide intervention services. All team members are trained volunteers (and emergency providers like you) who donate their time, talent and resources to assist you in times of need.

The following information will be needed to determine the most appropriate CISM intervention:

1.      The name of a contact person
2.      Phone number of the contact person
3.      Time and date of the critical event
4.      Location of the incident
5.      Type of event
6.      Number and professional background of involved personnel

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WHAT IS THE AREA OF COVERAGE?

Northeastern Team Counties

1.      Bollinger
2.      Cape Girardeau
3.      Crawford
4.      Jefferson
5.      Mississippi
6.      New Madrid
7.      Pemiscott
8.      Perry
9.      Ste. Francois
10.   Ste. Genevieve
11.   Scott
12.   Stoddard
13.   Washington

South/Central Team (Counties)

1.      Butler
2.      Carter
3.      Dent
4.      Dunklin
5.      Iron
6.      Madison
7.      Oregon
8.      Reynolds
9.      Ripley
10.   Shannon
11.   Wayne

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WHAT ARE THE FOCUS GROUPS OF THE CISM NETWORK?

1.      Police
2.      Dispatchers
3.      Firefighters
4.      Nurses
5.      Doctors
6.      Paramedics
7.      EMT's

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WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS OF STRESS?

The effects of stress may result from a single event, an occasional high level of stressful exposures, or a constant low to moderate level of stress. Stress may manifest itself as:

1.      Fatigue
2.      Nausea
3.      Intestinal upsets
4.      Memory loss
5.      Concentration problems
6.      Problem solving difficulties
7.      Anxiety
8.      Unreasonable fear
9.      Depression
10.   Identification with victims
11.   Nightmares/sleep disturbances
12.   Sexual difficulties
13.   Substance abuse
14.   Flashbacks of events
15.   Other atypical behavior
16.   Unusual or misdirected anger

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Back to SEMO CISM Home Page

You are visitor Number since this page was updated December 15, 2001

The SEMO CISM Network Web Page
was created, and is maintained, by
John Taylor
Copyright © 2001 John Taylor

Link to Showme.Net

Most recent revision 9 August 2006