First responders often face highly stressful and traumatic situations that can elicit strong emotional reactions due to the critical nature of their work and the exposure to human suffering. In the aftermath of such events, the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team is available to conduct a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) for responders. This process helps them defuse, process, and cope with the emotional and psychological impact of their experiences. CISM serves as an initial intervention strategy in trauma and crisis management, aiming to identify further support needs and provide necessary resources to ensure the well-being of responders.
The mission of Flagler County Fire Rescue's CISM team is to provide immediate crisis intervention services to emergency responders, hospital staff, and law enforcement agencies throughout Flagler County. The team focuses on innovation and collaboration to enhance teamwork and maintain the tradition of interagency cooperation while promoting proactive mental health support for first responders.
CISM is a collaborative effort involving AdventHealth Palm Coast, Flagler County Sheriff's Office, Flagler County Fire Rescue, and Palm Coast Fire Department, all working together to ensure the mental and emotional health of the region's first responders.