1. Firefighters Support Foundation
Starting a Fire Chaplain Program

2. Starting a Fire Chaplain Program
About FSF
The Firefighters Support Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization whose primary mission is to develop, produce and distribute training programs to firefighters and first responders. All of our programs are distributed free of charge.
Starting a Fire Chaplain Program

3. Starting a Fire Chaplain Program
Permission
Permission is granted to reproduce or distribute this material so long as the Firefighters Support Foundation is credited as the source
Starting a Fire Chaplain Program

4. Starting a Fire Chaplain Program
Accompanying Video
This PowerPoint presentation accompanies the video presentation of the same title.
Starting a Fire Chaplain Program

5. Starting a Fire Chaplain Program
Presenter
Instructor:
Chaplain Steve Brodehl
Oregon Fire Chief’s Association
Hillsboro Fire & Rescue
Starting a Fire Chaplain Program

6. Starting a Fire Chaplain Program
What is a Chaplain?
Listening Ear
Spiritual Guide
Resource to Leadership
Help to the hopeless
Officer of Calm
Starting a Fire Chaplain Program

7. Chaplains are….Connectors!
Starting a Fire Chaplain Program

8. Who does the Chaplain serve?
Agency must decide this point…..
Department Personnel or
Citizens in Crisis
Both
Starting a Fire Chaplain Program

9. Starting a Fire Chaplain Program
Department Personnel
Starting a Fire Chaplain Program

10. Serving Department Personnel
Routine encouragement through regular station visits with all personnel (short stay, intentional loitering)
Remaining open for any private questions or conversations initiated by the staff members
ONLY If requested by fire personnel (or citizens), offer spiritual encouragement or assistance.
Engage in and observe as many department events as possible, becoming a regular part of the “department life”
Starting a Fire Chaplain Program

11. Starting a Fire Chaplain Program

12. Serving Dept. Personnel (cont)
Available to officiate personal events members may request; from weddings to funerals etc.
When requested, visit any member of the department if hospitalized
Be available to offer strength and or encouragement without hesitation to any member of the department (Tailboard talk post-incident)
Available to the staff on a 24/7 basis as much as possible
Starting a Fire Chaplain Program

13. Serving Citizens in Crisis
Starting a Fire Chaplain Program

14. Assisting Victims While On-Scene
Encouragement
Stabilization
Direction
Education
Rehabilitation options
Starting a Fire Chaplain Program

15. Starting a Fire Chaplain Program
Encouragement
In the middle of a crisis event or traumatic encounter, often victims do not believe they can go on…
Enter… the Chaplain
Starting a Fire Chaplain Program

16. Starting a Fire Chaplain Program
Stabilization
Victims often wish to make decisions while still in the heat of their emotional state…
Enter… the Chaplain
Starting a Fire Chaplain Program

17. Starting a Fire Chaplain Program
Direction
What is going to happen next?
Why are there police in my home?
Why doesn’t everyone just do like TV?
What do I do now?
Enter the Chaplain!!
What is going to happen next?
Why are there police in my home?
Why doesn’t everyone just do like on TV?
What do I do now?
Enter… the Chaplain!!
Starting a Fire Chaplain Program

18. Starting a Fire Chaplain Program
Education
Why are they cutting a hole in my roof?
Why isn’t an autopsy going to be done?
Can’t they just cut my son out of the car right now? What are they waiting for?
Enter the Chaplain!!
Cards and letters keep coming 
Why are they cutting a hole in my roof?
Why isn’t an autopsy going to be done?
Can’t they just cut my son out of the car right now?
What are they waiting for?
Enter… the Chaplain!!
Starting a Fire Chaplain Program

19. Starting a Fire Chaplain Program
Rehabilitation
Enter the Chaplain!!
Liaison to immediate outside services such as Red Cross, emergency service groups, Ministerial Assoc.
Chaplain caries water, blankets, stuffed animals, flip flops, gloves and hats etc.
Starting a Fire Chaplain Program

20. Starting a Fire Chaplain Program
Where Do We Begin?
Starting a Fire Chaplain Program

21. Let’s Answer Some Simple Questions
Should Chaplains have specific training and if so, what in?
Federation of Fire Chaplains; Essentials Class (2 days $175)
Death Notifications  free on line)
NIMS (National Incident Management System):  (free on line)
Go to FEMA website, Training/Independent Studies 
IS 100 LEb
IS 230.d
IS 700.a
Stress First Aid (no cost…offered by Fallen Firefighters Foundation)
Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) (3 days… $225+/-)
Starting a Fire Chaplain Program

22. Who Should Chaplains be Accountable to?
Choose an officer from within your agency to whom the Chaplain reports!!
Create Chaplain SOP/SOG
Chaplain should also belong to a Chaplain’s organization with expectations, a code of ethics and accountability.
Starting a Fire Chaplain Program

23. Should Chaplain(s) be a Member of the Dept. Family?
Yes
1. Develops sense of fellowship and accountability within both Chaplains and agency personnel
2. Provides insurance coverage for Chaplain while performing duties as assigned
3. Allows for Chaplain to be identified to the public, the Department and others as an accountable member of a bona fide agency
4. Allows Chaplain to take part in any compensation programs that may exist
2. Provides insurance coverage for Chaplain while performing duties as assigned (CYA for agency as well)
3. Allows for Chaplain to be identified to the public, the Department and others as an accountable member of a bona fide agency
4. Allows Chaplain to take part in any compensation programs that may exist
Starting a Fire Chaplain Program

24. Create Communications Channel
How do we request our Chaplain when needed?
Have a plan that everyone knows!!
Starting a Fire Chaplain Program

25. Where Might We Find Such a Person?
Ask existing department personnel if they know someone interested in chatting about Chaplaincy
Ask local clergy leadership if they or someone in their “congregations” might be interested
Starting a Fire Chaplain Program

26. Starting a Fire Chaplain Program
No one should ride alone…
Starting a Fire Chaplain Program

27. Starting a Fire Chaplain Program
Thank
You
Office
Cell
Starting a Fire Chaplain Program