Group Crisis Intervention
In this two-day course participants will learn how to support groups who have been affected by a critical incident. They learn:
Pre-Event Planning and Preparation
Students learn to develop strategies and procedures for the event that a crticial incident happens. With plans in place peer supporters can quickly, efficiently and effectively come into action when needed. Training and setting up peer support units is part of this phase.
Strategic planning
Before and during an incident peer supporters need to determine which CISM techniques / components are needed for different types of possible crisis events.
Rest, Information & Transition Services (RITS) or demobilisation
This techique is used in shift disengagement or end of deployment mostly during ” search and rescue” operations. The goal here is to share up to date information about the operation, provide stress management information and allow for a short decompression period before going home. Peer supporters are taught how to run a RITS or demobilisation process.
Respite centers
During a large disaster or operation, like a flood, a temporary center will be set up for personnel involved in the opepration. They can take short breaks while being offered refreshments and snacks. Practical stress management techniques can be used during this time.
Crisis Management Briefing (CMB)
After an incident all staff are called together to be briefed about the situation. Updates will be provided, questions can be asked and there is time for psychological decompression and stress management. Peer supporters learn how to plan, set up and run a CMB.
Defusing
Participants learn to work with a small (similar) group of people right after an incident happened. Looking out for stress symptoms, assessment and triage are part of this activity.
Group debriefing
In this last group technique peer supporters are taught to work with small groups in processing the the critical event. A strict 5 or 7 step process is taught and practiced, whereby stress symptoms will be discussed and parts of the event will be processed. The group will work together (if possible) to a closure. Assessment, triage and referral could be part of the process.