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Welcome to the ILWG

Critical Incident Stress Management Office

Critical Incident Stress Management Coordinator

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Critical Incident Stress Management
Deputy Coordinator

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ICISF Trained Instuctor

Chaplain Lt. Col. Marcia Strahl

ARTICLES

Contact Lt Col Healy to get information on
how to become a CISM team member.

CISM Team Application

Group Crisis Intervention Class
Lansing, IL
13-14 April 2013
CANCELLED

Critical incidents may produce a wide range of stress symptoms, which may appear immediately at the scene, a few hours later or within days of the incident. Stress symptoms usually occur in four different categories: Cognitive (thinking), Physical (body), Emotional (feelings), and Behavioral (actions). The more symptoms experienced, the more powerful the stress reaction.

The longer the symptoms persist, the more potential there is for lasting harm.

The following is only a sample of stress symptoms that can show up after a critical incident.

COGNITIVE
Poor Concentration         Memory Problems
Poor Attention Span        Difficulty Making Decisions
Slowed Problem Solving Decisions

EMOTIONAL
Guilt         Grief         Depression         Anxiety/Fear
Loss of Emotional Control        Feeling Lost

PHYSICAL
Muscle Tremors        Chest Pain
Gastro-Intestinal Distress         Hard Breathing
Headaches         High Blood Pressure

BEHAVIORAL
Excessive Silence        Sleep Disturbance
Unusual Behaviors         Changes in Eating Habits
Withdrawal From Contact         Work Habit Changes

Authority for Critical Incident Stress Management is authorized by CAPR 60-5. Personnel who meet specific training requirements may be considered for membership on CISM Teams.

When personnel experience significant stress, the following steps may help to reduce the stress until the CISM team is involved.
-     Limit exposure to sights, sounds and odors.
-     Provide an immediate rest break of at least 15 minutes.
-     Have a friend stay with the distressed person.
-     Provide fluids, non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated.
-     Provide foods low in salt, sugar and fat.
-     Allow the person to talk about the experience.
-     Do not rush the person to return to work.
-     Protect the person from bystanders and the media.
-     Reassure the person that the stress experience is normal.
-     Show appreciation for the person’s work.
-     Do nothing to embarrass the person.