EPA's Peer Support & Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM ...

EPA’s s Peer Support &Critical Incident StressManagement (CISM)Team

WHAT IS CISM?• CISM is a comprehensive,integrated, multi-componentcrisis intervention system thatincludes pre-incident preparation,individual crisis interventions,demobilizations, defusings,debriefings, follow-up referrals,and Animal Assisted CrisisResponse.

MISSION OF EPA’S S CISMTEAMTo provide support &assistance to EPA’s OSCsregarding day-toto-day stressexperienced in their jobs aswell as to OSCs and other EPAresponders during majoremergencies and disasters.

Why a Peer Support& CISM Team?• Stress management workshop,November 2000• Needs assessment• 9/11• Capitol Hill anthrax

About the Team• All volunteers; managerapproval required• Mixture of OSCs, , other staff,and mental healthprofessionals

CURRENT TEAMMEMBERSHIP• 27 team members, nationwide:Region 1 – 3 Region 2 – 4Region 3 – 2 Region 4 – 1Region 5 – 3 Region 6 – 2Region 7 – 2 Region 8 – 2Region 9 – 1 Region 10 – 1HQ – 4ATSDR -- 1ERT -- 1

Team Activations• Peer support component active 24/7as needed• First disaster mobilization: SpaceShuttle Columbia disaster; 12 teammembers rotated in and out on 1-week 1assignments• Second disaster mobilization:Hurricane Katrina; 2 rotations of 2team members into Mississippi &Alabama; 7 rotations of 14 teammembers into Louisiana

EPA’s s EmergencyResponders• On Scene Coordinators• Response Support Corps

On Scene Coordinators• EPA’s s principal emergencyresponders – 250 technicalexperts located in 10 Regionaloffices and out-post sites, whoassess the human health risks andenvironmental hazards fromspills, releases, natural disasters,industrial accidents, or terroristattacks

OSCs (continued)• Relatively young: 53% under age 39• Predominantly male (75%)• Educated: 95% college graduates; 44%with graduate degrees• 70% work out of a Regional Office; 30%out-posted• Experienced: 63% in their jobs for 7 yearsor longer; 27% more than 14 years• Personalities: independent, self-startersstarters

Traits of EmergencyResponders• Obsessive/Compulsive• Controlling• Action-Oriented• Easily Bored• Strong Need for ImmediateGratification• Duty Driven/Mission Oriented

Response SupportCorps• Approximately 1,200 EPAemployees in the variousprogram offices at HQ and in theRegions• Available to deploy during majoremergencies & national disasters(e.g., Hurricane Katrina)

Where Do You FindEPA’s s Responders?

Train Derailments

Airplane Crashes

Oil Spills

Katrina

Clandestine Drug Labs

World Trade Center

Capitol Hill Decontamination

Space Shuttle ColumbiaRecovery Dive Unit

Abandoned Facilities

Fires

STRESS & STRESS REACTIONS• The physical and psychologicalprocess caused by viewing anevent as a threat and seeinglimited choices in dealing withthe threat.• Excessive stress arousal andunsuccessful coping strategiescan cause illness/dysfunctionin major body systems.

FACTS ABOUT STRESS• Inherent in survival• Necessary for human growth anddevelopment• Initially positive, but too much isunhealthy• Can affect physical health• It builds up• It’s s manageable

PSYCHOSOCIAL STRESSORS• Family relationships• Illness• Conflicts with management orcolleagues• Administrative hassles• Lack of appreciation• Abusive “customers”• Lack of support

PERSONALITY STRESSORS• Inability to say “no”• Need to be liked• Anxiety over competence• Negative outlook• Sensitivity to criticism• Extremely high expectations• Guilt over mistakes• Fear of making mistakes

• Alcohol• Drugs• DietBEHAVIORAL STRESSORS• Tobacco• Time management• Anger• Social withdrawal

COGNITIVE STRESS• Confused thinkingSYMPTOMS• Lowered concentration• Difficulty making decisions• Memory dysfunction• Decreased problem-solving ability• Decline in job performance

PHYSICAL STRESS SYMPTOMS• Excessive sweating• Dizzy spells• Increased heart rate/blood pressure• Rapid breathing• Fatigue• Headaches• Digestive problems• Insomnia• Sexual dysfunction

EMOTIONAL STRESSSYMPTOMS• Grief• Depression• Shock/anger• Frustration• Feeling overwhelmed• Fear/anxiety

BEHAVIORAL STRESSSYMPTOMS• Changes in ordinary patterns• Changes in eating habits• Decreased personal hygiene• Withdrawal from others• Prolonged silence/moodiness• Aggressive outbursts

Pre-Exposure Preparation• Remember:–Everyone has stress reactions–Reactions are NORMAL–Reactions must be dealt with–If you can’t t deal, they will dealwith you–There are effective ways to dealwith stress

PREVENTION TACTICS• Pre-incident education• Supervisor training to recognize stress• Recognize stress in others on responses• Teamwork• Exercise program• Talking with a peer, spouse, or friend• Spend time with family/friends

Hanging Out with Friends

Would You Be Interestedin Becoming a Member ofthe CISM Team?

Desired Team MemberQualities• Emotional maturity & sensitivity• Recognized for integrity &professional conduct• Ability to be discrete & maintainprivacy• Ability to work with others & as ateam member• Willingness to adhere toestablished procedures

If This Describes You &You Are InterestedContact Jan Shubert202-564564-2527Shubert.jan@epa.gov