Proposed Removal of
CISM/CISD considerations from NFPA 1500
CISM/CISD considerations from NFPA 1500
You may not
be aware that there is a proposed amendment that specifically deletes reference
to CISD/CISM as a required or desirable course of action for dealing with
firefighters involved with behavioral health challenges.
be aware that there is a proposed amendment that specifically deletes reference
to CISD/CISM as a required or desirable course of action for dealing with
firefighters involved with behavioral health challenges.
Until I
began to speak a couple of years ago about the issue of mental health
challenges in the fires service and the lack of understanding and acknowledgement
of such; I had no idea of the national debate on the effectiveness or lack
thereof regarding CISD/CISM.
began to speak a couple of years ago about the issue of mental health
challenges in the fires service and the lack of understanding and acknowledgement
of such; I had no idea of the national debate on the effectiveness or lack
thereof regarding CISD/CISM.
Now there is
a proposal to remove that section from NFPA 1500 due to what is felt to be, not
only an ineffective process but sometimes may even causes a detrimental effect.
There is research cited by the author to verify such claims. There are alternative
procedures proposed in the amended version to replace CISM/CISD.
a proposal to remove that section from NFPA 1500 due to what is felt to be, not
only an ineffective process but sometimes may even causes a detrimental effect.
There is research cited by the author to verify such claims. There are alternative
procedures proposed in the amended version to replace CISM/CISD.
This
proposal is authored by Dr. Richard Gist, from the University of Missouri-
Kansa City and the Kansa City Fire Department. Dr. Gist also has worked as an
integral part of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation as part of their dedicated
effort to address Life Safety Initiative 13 which states “Firefighters and
their families must have access to counseling and psychological support.”
proposal is authored by Dr. Richard Gist, from the University of Missouri-
Kansa City and the Kansa City Fire Department. Dr. Gist also has worked as an
integral part of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation as part of their dedicated
effort to address Life Safety Initiative 13 which states “Firefighters and
their families must have access to counseling and psychological support.”
I am not an
expert on all the data or frankly on the merits/drawbacks of which methodology
is more effective. However I can speak as a Fire Chief that has used CISD/CISM
teams in various situations. In addition I have been involved with Employee
Assistance Programs (EAP) and referral of my people to such agencies. Therefore
I have an opinion on the subject and will express it to NFPA.
expert on all the data or frankly on the merits/drawbacks of which methodology
is more effective. However I can speak as a Fire Chief that has used CISD/CISM
teams in various situations. In addition I have been involved with Employee
Assistance Programs (EAP) and referral of my people to such agencies. Therefore
I have an opinion on the subject and will express it to NFPA.
I am writing
this to not only inform you but to also encourage all of you in the fire
service, from probationary firefighters to the Fire Chief, to weigh in with the
NFPA on how you feel about this proposal. Whether you have been directly
impacted as an individual or as a department your opinion COUNTS. Do you see
value in one or the other or maybe both?
this to not only inform you but to also encourage all of you in the fire
service, from probationary firefighters to the Fire Chief, to weigh in with the
NFPA on how you feel about this proposal. Whether you have been directly
impacted as an individual or as a department your opinion COUNTS. Do you see
value in one or the other or maybe both?
If you are a
small volunteer organization or a major metropolitan department how this change
effects you may be very different. Again please do not be passive on this
issue. We have for too long tried to hide the issue of mental heath challenges
in the closet and we are paying for it in both our fire family as well as the
family we return to at home.
small volunteer organization or a major metropolitan department how this change
effects you may be very different. Again please do not be passive on this
issue. We have for too long tried to hide the issue of mental heath challenges
in the closet and we are paying for it in both our fire family as well as the
family we return to at home.
To review
the proposal please go to the below site beginning with page 53 of the pdf :
the proposal please go to the below site beginning with page 53 of the pdf :
The
information has not been published as of yet as it has just finished the
committee ballot process. It will be published on or around June 24th,
2011 in the Report on Proposals (ROP). You can check the www.nfpa.org/1500
website around that time for the release and publication of the ROP.
information has not been published as of yet as it has just finished the
committee ballot process. It will be published on or around June 24th,
2011 in the Report on Proposals (ROP). You can check the www.nfpa.org/1500
website around that time for the release and publication of the ROP.
Please take
the time to look into this critical issue regarding firefighter safety.
the time to look into this critical issue regarding firefighter safety.
