Transition 
ABOUT CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS MANAGEMENT
First responders are exposed to trauma in numerous ways as they serve their communities. Responding to and witnessing traumatic events can have a significant impact on responders and impact their well-being. Impacts can arise from single traumatic events, such as mass violence incidents or special circumstances, or as a result of cumulative exposure.
CISM services are intended to help first responders overcome the impacts of this stress. EMS agencies or providers may activate the regional CISM Team for assistance in dealing with critical incident stress in either group or individual settings.
Team services are confidential and free to the public safety community. The team provides stress defusings, debriefings, one-on-one sessions, demobilizations, family support, community briefings and educational programs based on the models and methods developed by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation. Any fire, EMS, law enforcement, dispatcher, ED staff member or any other public safety responder in the Southwest Virginia region can call for the CISM team. An on-call team member will respond back to the caller, discuss the situation, and determine if and which type of CISM service is needed.
OUR TEAM
The Southwest Virginia Critical Incident Management Team supports the efforts of our region’s emergency responders (including fire, rescue, law enforcement, emergency room personnel, and other members of the public safety community) by providing critical incident stress management services and training. The team's service area includes the Lenowisco, Cumberland Plateau, and Mount Rogers Planning districts.
CONTACT US:
The Southwest Virginia CISM Team can be contacted 24/7 by contacting Washington County Dispatch Center:
CALL: 276-676-6277
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES
We recognize that cumulative stress may have even greater impact on the well-being of first responders, and additional help may be needed to deal with the work-related stress. This is normal. In fact, a study of EMS personnel in 2010 showed that 88% of surveyed EMS personnel reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and/or clinical or sub-clinical diagnostic criteria for PTSD (Mishra et al, 2010). Sadly, few had received treatment for these symptoms. In order to take care of their communities, EMS providers must take care of themselves. We are pleased to collaborate with Highlands Community Services to help you receive the confidential assistance you need to take care of your mental well-being or for assistance with substance abuse.
To request assistance, contact Highlands Community Services at the numbers below:
Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm, call 276-525-1550.
After hours, Holiday, and Weekends, call 1-866-589-0269. Note, any provider in the Southwest Virginia EMS Council region may call to request assistance. Highlands Community Services will work with you to provide assistance regardless of where you live either through direct assistance or referral to services available in your area.
Life-Threatening Emergency, Call 911
Our goal is to remind first responders and those who know and love them, that it is okay to make the call. It is okay to reach out for help. It is okay to take care of yourself. As part of this campaign the Virginia Office of EMS will provide access to numerous resources to help providers and agencies recognize the signs and symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress and understand the training and resources that are available not just for the first responder, but for the family as well.
