1. Emergency Service Chaplaincy
Chaplain Pat Ellis

2. What is a Chaplain?
Traditionally, a chaplain is a cleric (such as a minister, priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam), or a lay representative of a religious tradition, attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, school, police department, fire department, university, or private chapel.
According to Wikipedia
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3. Why have a chaplain? Continuum of care in the community
On Call 24/7
Care, Comfort and Compassion
Provide for the emotional and mental well being of the department members and their families
High Stress Environment
Constant Exposure to Trauma
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4. High Exposure to Trauma
Critical Incident Stress/Compassion Fatigue
An event that is above and beyond our normal range of experience that has the potential of causing emotional distress

5. Physiological Response Trigger
Release of Endorphins
Serotonin
Noradrenaline
Dopamine
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6. Pre-Intervention Knowledge is power Your not Superman Know your limits
Educate Yourself
Your not Superman
Realistic Expectations
Know your limits
Have plan
Know your resources
Support System
Who is your back up
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7. Post-Intervention Know that you are not broken Do something about it
Acknowledge the fact that you are experiencing Post Trauma Stress
Your human Just like the rest of us
Do something about it
“A truly ‘tough’ person in the healthiest sense of the word is not the one who avoids all stress but the one who knows how to adapt to the different levels of stress and crisis as it is occurring.”

8. Your Not Broken!!! Post Traumatic Stress
The emotional upheaval that can occur following the experience or witnessing of a traumatic event/critical incident.
Doesn’t mean your broken!!!
1. Exposure
Intense Fear
Helplessness
Horror
2. Hallmark Symptoms
Intrusive Memories
Avoidance/Numbing
Hyper-Alertness
Symptoms go away with time
You never forget

9. Biological Early Warning System
Depressed Mood
Insomnia
Irritability/Withdrawal
Suicidal Ideology
Fatigue
Feelings of Guilt or Worthlessness
Lack of Interest or Concentration
Changes In Weight
Everyone around you becomes a A$%#&^$

10. Cognitive Control Strategies
Guard Your Mind/Heart
Thought Stopping
Cognitive Restructuring
Positive Affirmations
Task-Relevant Self Instruction
We use language to communicate our ideas and emotions to others and, just as importantly, to articulate our thoughts and feelings to ourselves.
Employ the cognitive control strategies of thought stopping, cognitive restructuring, positive affirmations, and task-relevant self-instruction
The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives. - William James ( )

11. Need Help? Get Help! Know Your Resources Chaplain or Clergy
EAP Personnel
Qualified Mental Health Professional (MHP)
Critical Incident Stress Debrief
Spouse/Family
“Getting help is not a sign of weakness,
it is a sign that you know your limits”

12. Emergency Service Chaplaincy
Chaplain Pat Ellis