CISM, as defined by ICISF,  is an array of interventions designed for first responders. If you are an EAP or mental health professional that primarily serves the general public within various organizations, you are generally providing different or modified services. It is misleading to claim that one provides CISM services when in actuality we are only borrowing theory.  From this point forward, we will refer to our array of services as EAP Onsite Services.

First Contact

Whether you receive the call directly or are contacted by another agency, the first contact information is crucial. Realize that when the call comes in it will increase your stress level. Having a centralized place to keep your onsite information will minimize the "scramble effect". You need contacts, numbers, addresses, directions, times, safety procedures, resources, appropriate dress, clearance, parking, key management/HR personnel, names of employees most impacted, other agencies involved and who to ask for when you arrive. If you are receiving the call from the workplace, PFA may need to be utilized with the caller.  They may have been impacted. Ask about the room where you will meet employees and if it provides a level of confidentiality. Ask if you will be able to make copies for your handouts. If not, know how many to bring. You may be representing another agency so be prepared to speak of them. Know how long you are scheduled to be there and settle your billing before hand with an understanding of the policy if extra hours are requested.

If you are being asked to arrive at the workplace within the first 24 hours of the incident, shock may be the predominate reaction and only PFA will be helpful.

When you arrive on the scene, meet with your contact. Review what has transpired since the phone contact. Much can change in a fluid environment. Ask to see the room where you will be meeting the employees and make it work for you.

Understand how management will introduce you and support their actions for bringing your services onsite.

Pre- incident Training

The EAP is in an excellent position to educate employees and corporations about the effects of stress and reactions of traumatic stress.  Pre-incident trainings will familiarize employers on how a critical event can disrupt business and the lives of employees. It will introduce EAP Onsite Services and their role in recovery. EAPs already offer training packages to companies as part of their over-all EAP services.  These "lunch and learns", as they are called, will often include a stress management of some sort.  However, they generally do little to inform employees about the nature of critical incident stress let alone effective stress management.  EAPs are positioned to pre-educate employers as part of the complete EAP Onsite Services package they are purchasing.

As mentioned earlier, part of first responder training is on managing critical incident stress. Pre-knowledge and awareness will improve outcomes of debriefing services.

Pre-incident training can come in the form of onsite presentations, articles, online training modules and by getting a seat at the table of an organization's disaster recovery plan.