CISM

[SDF_Specialist]

I can't seem to find very much information on CISM. How do I become CISM qualified? Is this a classroom, or online training session? Is anyone else CISM qualified?

[floridacyclist]

It is a 14-hr (2-day) training session taught by a certified instructor. In CAP, we follow the ICISF (International Critical Incident Stress Foundation) curriculum/methodology and most of our classes are taught by Lt Col Sherry Jones, a self-proclaimed trauma junkie from up North. Once you get the certificate, your wing CISM director should be able to get your qualification documented.

[SDF_Specialist]

It is a 14-hr (2-day) training session taught by a certified instructor. In CAP, we follow the ICISF (International Critical Incident Stress Foundation) curriculum/methodology and most of our classes are taught by Lt Col Sherry Jones, a self-proclaimed trauma junkie from up North. Once you get the certificate, your wing CISM director should be able to get your qualification documented.

To my knowledge Gene, Ohio Wing doesn't have a CISM director. I think that this is why I am most interested in it. I like what it stands for, and would like to be involve in this. Do you have any idea who I could contact to find out about it?

[BillB]

Gene,  look at a map.  From where you and I are (Except for Kach)  EVERYONE is up north.

[floridacyclist]

Check out http://glr.cap.gov/cism/

Don't forget to go through your chain of command before contacting someone outside it...they may also have information on existing programs or people that are working on the same path as you are.

CecilDP is a local too...I met him at Patrick a couple of weeks ago

[SDF_Specialist]

Great info! Never thought to look at the Region website. Thanks Gene!

[floridacyclist]

That is actually listed as the Civil Air Patrol CISM Homepage. There is another one at www.capcism.com that just doesn't seem to have anywhere near as much info on it.

With Col Jones in your region, you might have an easier time getting info and training than someone in Oregon.

The patch still freaks me out a little.

"If you want to talk, we're here to help. But until then, remember:

I'm watching you"

[SJFedor]

That is actually listed as the Civil Air Patrol CISM Homepage. There is another one at www.capcism.com that just doesn't seem to have anywhere near as much info on it.

With Col Jones in your region, you might have an easier time getting info and training than someone in Oregon.

The patch still freaks me out a little.

"If you want to talk, we're here to help. But until then, remember:

I'm watching you"

It was originally the patch for the Black Van From Maxwell squadron (BVFM).

[SDF_Specialist]

That is actually listed as the Civil Air Patrol CISM Homepage. There is another one at www.capcism.com that just doesn't seem to have anywhere near as much info on it.

With Col Jones in your region, you might have an easier time getting info and training than someone in Oregon.

The patch still freaks me out a little.

"If you want to talk, we're here to help. But until then, remember:

I'm watching you"

It was originally the patch for the Black Van From Maxwell squadron (BVFM).

So the CISM originally stood for "CAP Is Spying on Member"? 

[SJFedor]

That is actually listed as the Civil Air Patrol CISM Homepage. There is another one at www.capcism.com that just doesn't seem to have anywhere near as much info on it.

With Col Jones in your region, you might have an easier time getting info and training than someone in Oregon.

The patch still freaks me out a little.

"If you want to talk, we're here to help. But until then, remember:

I'm watching you"

It was originally the patch for the Black Van From Maxwell squadron (BVFM).

So the CISM originally stood for "CAP Is Spying on Member"? 

Yup. And the scroll used to read "Harassing Those Who Serve Others"

[floridacyclist]

To me, it's not so much spying or harassing it just seems spooky to me. CISM workers have a hard enough time earning the trust of those around them without a big ol' eye on their chest saying "I'm watching you (for signs of an impending crackup)". To me, an assigned CISM worker needs to be able to blend in as well as possible while making themselves useful around the mission base...fixing coffee, running errands, maybe even giving the radio operator a break if they are qualified. They need to be seen as part of the furniture and just a normal part of a mission if they are to be accepted and trusted when their services are needed - and yes, I do believe in the value of CISM, having been on both sides of a debriefing.

Having a big ol' eyeball on your chest watching everyone just doesn't seem to accomplish that objective.

[Chaplaindon]

The actual heraldic symbolism of the CAP CISM emblem, as described by the original artist is as follows, "the eye represents always being vigilant, the dove and olive branch represents peace of mind or consoling ..."

To my mind, all good qualities that are normatively representative of CISM and not at all "spooky" except to the easily spooked or those persons looking for the nefarious.

I, for one, can't imagine a better way for CAP members to be with one another than to be viliglantly and compassionately looking out for the well-being (and piece of mind) of another ... kind of a "golden rule" put in practice. Imagine what kind of a CAP we'd have if we really cared about each other.

[floridacyclist]

Speaking as an operations person (which is precisely where you're supposed to draw your CISM peer debriefers from), I can vouch that most people don't want to be watched over that closely...especially by someone that they may consider to be some kind of pseudo-shrink. You saw the remarks earlier about spying and harrassing others...good intentions aside, that is how many view CISM.

Many field people who are unfamiliar with CISM truly resent having big brother watching over them. They may not realize the trouble we can get ourselves into emotionally with some of the things we do. A friend of mine who was a GTL in MS after Katrina told his team when they were sent into the de-briefing "just nod your head politely and say as little as possible so we can get the hell out of here". With attitudes and walls like that, it is gong to be very difficult for CISM workers to get the kind of trust and connectiveness they need to do their job.

Having a big eye on your chest like you are watching everyone just doesn't seem compatible with that goal.

[sardak]

National just issued a memo and guidelines for CISM officers.  I understand the seriousness and need for CISM, having been through a number of debriefs, the latest last week after we recovered a woman who apparently committed suicide by drowning.  But that logo reminds me too much of this:



Mike

[SDF_Specialist]

It almost sounds as though CISM workers are Mission Chaplains. I've done some research on the CISM program, and it is something that I'm really interested in. Don't get me wrong. Mission Chaplains are great, and I would not feel half as safe on SAREX's that I do without the prayer. But I think we need more CISM people there for those of us who get nervous on their first SAREX, or for anyone on a SAREX. I can imagine that they are even more valuable on an actual, but I've never had to go on an actual, which is a good thing. We just need more CISM people in general. I have intensions on inquiring as to why this training can't be offered within every Wing rather than through the Regions, and at specific times. This is a qual that I would love to have. It gives yet another sense of assistance.

[Chaplaindon]

"I have intensions on inquiring as to why this training can't be offered within every Wing rather than through the Regions, and at specific times. This is a qual that I would love to have. It gives yet another sense of assistance."

The training CAN be provided at the Wing level. It has been offered to wings in the past.

Really the only issue has to do with funding. NHQ has reduced the funding for CISM so that it cannot be offered as easily as in years past. By that I mean that the costs for the travel/lodging and course costs cannot usually be funded by NHQ anymore --that includes Region courses.

However, with adequate numbers of interested students (and with an increasing number of CAP volunteer instructors) the travel/lodging costs for the instructor and the course costs (e.g. textbooks and ICISF course fee) can be spread out to keep the cost to each member quite affordable.

Contact your Wing CISM officer and express your interest in attending the training. My guess is that it will require a bare-minimum of 25 students to warrant a class. Furthermore, Lt Col Sherry Jones usually will offer a CAP-funded CISM:Group Crisis Intervention Course at the annual National Board meeting.

[SDF_Specialist]

"I have intensions on inquiring as to why this training can't be offered within every Wing rather than through the Regions, and at specific times. This is a qual that I would love to have. It gives yet another sense of assistance."

The training CAN be provided at the Wing level. It has been offered to wings in the past.

Really the only issue has to do with funding. NHQ has reduced the funding for CISM so that it cannot be offered as easily as in years past. By that I mean that the costs for the travel/lodging and course costs cannot usually be funded by NHQ anymore --that includes Region courses.

However, with adequate numbers of interested students (and with an increasing number of CAP volunteer instructors) the travel/lodging costs for the instructor and the course costs (e.g. textbooks and ICISF course fee) can be spread out to keep the cost to each member quite affordable.

Contact your Wing CISM officer and express your interest in attending the training. My guess is that it will require a bare-minimum of 25 students to warrant a class. Furthermore, Lt Col Sherry Jones usually will offer a CAP-funded CISM:Group Crisis Intervention Course at the annual National Board meeting.

Thanks Chaplain. To my knowledge, Ohio Wing doesn't have a CISM, but I could do some snooping and ask questions. Maybe my best bet is to contact the Wing Chaplain to see if he knows anything. When in doubt, contact the Wing Chief of Staff though!

[Chaplaindon]

"To my knowledge, Ohio Wing doesn't have a CISM, but I could do some snooping and ask questions"

According to the capcism.com website, the OHWG/CIS is Capt Gary Eno and his email is listed --publicly-- at http://www.capcism.com/contactus.html.

[SDF_Specialist]

"To my knowledge, Ohio Wing doesn't have a CISM, but I could do some snooping and ask questions"

According to the capcism.com website, the OHWG/CIS is Capt Gary Eno and his email is listed --publicly-- at http://www.capcism.com/contactus.html.

I actually just got a response from the Ohio Wing Chaplain. He forwarded my email to the Wing Assistant Chaplain who apparently is the CISM guy for Ohio. Maybe now I can get the ball rolling, and start working on this. Thanks again Chaplain!

[Eclipse]

Many field people who are unfamiliar with CISM truly resent having big brother watching over them. They may not realize the trouble we can get ourselves into emotionally with some of the things we do. A friend of mine who was a GTL in MS after Katrina told his team when they were sent into the de-briefing "just nod your head politely and say as little as possible so we can get the hell out of here". With attitudes and walls like that, it is gong to be very difficult for CISM workers to get the kind of trust and connectiveness they need to do their job.

Having a big eye on your chest like you are watching everyone just doesn't seem compatible with that goal.

Link http://tinyurl.com/2symm6

Pictured is one of the evening CISM discussions during Katrina operations at Stennis Airport - Lt. Col. Sherry Jones can be seen at about the 2-O'Clock position in the photo.  The gentleman to her right in the flightsuit is the other coordinator that stayed with us.  To my embarrassment I do not know his name.

CISM is important, especially in real-world situations.

The challenge for CISM people in CAP is that it requires specialized training, mindset, and application to be effective, and in most cases is treated as an afterthought.

Speaking from my personal experience, I did not have any issues while down in MS, however >AFTER< was a different story.  The primary issue for me (and others from my team), was the quick ramp-down of ops tempo back in the "real" world - I had difficulty sleeping (I was doing sortie planning in my sleep, and would wake up several times a night thinking it was morning) and a sense that although I really wanted and needed to talk about what we did and saw, the realities of "real" life would not permit people up this way to spend the time it takes just to chill and let things flow, nor would they "get it" if and when they did spend the time. Expecting this stuff to just flow out on command is not realistic.

We can joke about and downplay our activities, but the reality is that the average Joe CAP Suburbanite drives to work at 8, is home for dinner at 6 and watches a little tv before bed.  The stress placed on this same member when he is thrust into an Armageddon-like environment with 24 hours notice and told he will be depended on for the safety and even the life of both himself, his team, and members of the general public should not be minimized.

NHQ and Lt. Col. Jones were genuinely concerned about us and followed up several times to see how we were doing - I discussed the above with her and it helped, along with the knowledge that if things got "real', she would be available to help.

Thankfully, for me at least, a week or so of normalcy and I was back to annoying people with my arrogant, uninformed opinion(s) on Captalk and other places.  Interestingly, though, during a recent situation in my home area where we had wide-spread power outages and flooding, the noise of the generators was all it took to bring back a tinge of that mission-environment anxiety.