Activations

1. 1. LINE OF DUTY DEATHS*
   2. SUICIDE OF A COLLEAGUE*
   3. SERIOUS WORK RELATED INJURY
   4. MULTI-CASUALTY / DISASTER / TERRORISM INCIDENTS
   5. EVENTS WITH A HIGH DEGREE OF THREAT TO THE PERSONNEL
   6. SIGNIFICANT EVENTS INVOLVING CHILDREN
   7. EVENTS IN WHICH THE VICTIM IS KNOWN TO THE PERSONNEL
   8. EVENTS WITH EXCESSIVE MEDIA INTEREST
   9.  EVENTS THAT ARE PROLONGED AND END WITH A NEGATIVE OUTCOME
   10. ANY SIGNIFICANTLY POWERFUL, OVERWHELMING DISTRESSING EVENT

When Should I Activate CISM

For the purposes of CISM, Any event which has a stressful impact sufficient enough to overwhelm the effective coping skills of either an individual or group.  

Critical incidents are typically sudden, powerful events which are outside the range of ordinary human experiences. The International Critical Incident Stress Foundation has identified a list of “terrible ten” incidents that, in most cases, should spark a CISM Team activation. A list of these incidents can be found on the back page of this brochure., however activations should not be limited to only these 10 incidents. The decision to activate CISM should be based not solely on the type of incident that has occurred, but also on the level of emotion involved. The type of intervention used by our team depends on the situation, the number of people involved, and their proximity to the event.

DEFUSING

A defusing is done the day of the incident before the person(s) has a chance to sleep.  A defusing is designed to assure the person or people involved that their feelings are normal, to tell them what symptoms to watch for over the short term, and to offer them a lifeline in the form of a telephone number where they can reach someone  whom they can talk to.

DEBRIEFING

Debriefings are usually the second level of intervention for those directly affected by the incident and often the first for those not directly involved.  A debriefing is normally done within 72 hours of the incident and gives the individual or group the opportunity to talk about their experience, how it has affected them, brainstorm coping mechanisms, identify individuals at risk, and inform the individual or group about services available to them in their community.

FOLLOW-UP

At any stage a CISM member may recommend a higher level of care for personnel, using resources in place including our CISM clinician, the officer’s EAP and/or the LEADER program at McLean’s Hospital.

LEADER PROGRAM: MCLEANS HOSPITAL

The LEADER (Law Enforcement, Active Duty, and Emergency Responder) Program at McLean Hospital offers specialized mental health and addiction services, designed specifically for men and women in uniform. For more information or to make a referral to LEADER, please contact your Department’s CISM Member or call Wendy Curry, admissions coordinator, at (617) 855-3141. Be sure to mention that you are calling about a police officer, active duty National Guard, or other responder.

Signs and Symptoms