James Valley Critical Incident Stress Management Team

Office Contact Information:

Phone: 605-995-8640
Fax: 605-995-8642
Cell: 605-770-9610
Davison County Emergency Management
200 East 4th
Mitchell, South Dakota 57301

Introduction
The Davison County Office of Emergency Management is responsible for the coordination and administration of the James Valley Critical Incident Stress Management Team (CISM).  The Davison County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) serves as the Governing Board of this Team. 
Who’s it for?
CISM is designed for emergency responders who have taken part or worked with a critical incident. This service is not meant for the public or as a replacement for professional counseling 
What is a Critical Incident?
Emergency response personnel operate under a variety of stressors; the uncertainty of the next call, the human tragedies involved, the hazards associated with a rescue, the fear of doing something wrong. 
Often responders can cope with these stressors and consider them “part of the job”. Some situations, however, cause lasting impressions and can challenge the ability to function on the job and at home. They can cause emergency service workers to abandon involvement with their service and cause physical and emotional illness. Situations, which produce these unusually strong reactions, are referred to as critical incidents
Examples of Critical Incidents include:
  • Sudden death
  • Serious injury or death of an emergency worker
  • A difficult rescue effort
  • Victim and family known by responder
  • Natural disasters or mass casualty incidents
  • Suicides
  • Unfavorable media coverage or an event
  • Several difficult incidents within a short period of time
What is Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)?
The Critical Incident Stress Management Team, a group of specifically trained professionals, assist emergency service personnel to deal with the most stressful aspects of their occupation. Emergency service support persons (emergency medical technicians, paramedics, law enforcement officers, firefighters, dispatchers, nurses and mental health professionals) comprise the CISM team.
The service is confidential and participants can speak freely. This is not group therapy and not a critique of the event. During the session, participants may describe their thoughts, actions and reactions to the stress event or participants may just listen. 
CISM will assist the participants in understanding the thoughts, emotions and behaviors that occurred during and after the incident. It is time devoted to helping the participants understand how a powerful event has affected them. 
How does Critical Incident Stress Management help?
Within the past few years, the special needs of emergency personnel have been recognized. The work they perform can be emotionally difficult, physically draining and can profoundly impact on all aspects of their life. They are often unaware of the impact that an event has upon them. The stress inherent in their jobs can cause the emergency service worker to experience a variety of symptoms including fatigue, nausea, change of appetite, headaches, memory loss, and lack of concentration, anxiety, fears, guilt, depression, nightmares, insomnia, flashbacks, irritability or emotional numbing. Virtually everyone who provides emergency services will eventually exhibit a stress reaction. 
Emergency personnel benefit from a CISM because it:
  • Reduces the impact of the stressful experience
  • Reduces the isolation and the feeling of being abnormal
  • Promotes psychological well being
  • Helps prevent delayed psychological reactions
  • Improves coping skills for future incidents
  • Helps keep them productive and on the job
In general, critical incident stress management promotes a more rapid recovery from the incident and facilitates normal integration back into home and work routines.
The Family Factor
It is recognized that the families of emergency personnel are faced with special needs and challenges. Family members may become “secondary victims” to the overwhelming stressors endured by their loved ones. Support, education and debriefings are available to help in reducing the impact of stressful experiences on the family system. 
How to Request Help Contacting the Mitchell Police Department Dispatch Center activates the James Valley CISM Team. The Team is available for calls 24hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The Team is available to conduct debriefings and defusings for Emergency Response Personnel when requested. 
If you would like more information concerning the James Valley CISM Team, please contact us.
If you need assistance or would like to request a debriefing or defusing, contact the Mitchell Police Department Dispatch Center at 605-995-8400.