The Metro Cism Team

“Grants paid: Law Enforcement Legal Services distribution from Patch Sales fundraiser”

“1) Office Expenses, IT, Accounting, Insurance & Fees: $7,608 2) Team travel, Outreach & Marketing: $1,626 3) Team Training & Support: $4,508 Total Other Expenses: $13,744”

“Direct Services: The Metro CISM Team provided CISM services to Emergency Services Personnel (ESP) in the 11-county Twin Cities Metro Area. Services included debriefings, defusings and other interventions following critical incidents. The goals of the interventions are to reduce occupational stress and enhance ESP resilience to ensure career longevity, job satisfaction and promote personal well-being. The Team conducted 25 debriefings, 2 defusings and at least 4 one-on-one sessions, serving a total of 275 ESP. An average of 3 Team members were involved in the interventions. The Team has seen an increasing trend in requests for service due to our Outreach and Marketing efforts. Pre-Incident Trainings and a broader awareness of the need to support ESP in the community. The Team has 42 active members.”

“The Metro CISM Team provides initial training to all Team members and ESP and Mental Health providers from other agencies, provides ongoing refresher training on a monthly basis, and provides professional development opportunities for Team members. Training in CISM methods follows the internationally recognized model of the ICISF and includes both individual and group techniques. Additionally, Psychological First Aid and other CISM strategies are integrated into the training. The Metro CISM Team provides certifies trainers and collaborates with other CISM Teams in the State of Minnesota. The Team sponsored 1 Initial Training with 15 attendees, some from other agencies. The Team provided 11 monthly refresher trainings and a full day mandatory training retreat to maintain skills. Some training is provided through the use of videoconferencing technology.”

“The Metro CISM Team provided Pre-Incident Awareness training on occupational stress topics for ESP line personnel, generally at no cost to the agency. This training is available for public safety., EMS and PSAP dispatchers. The Team developed and presented a training for Emergency Services supervisory personnel titled "The First 90-Minutes" to provide them with resources for how to assist their personnel after critical incidents, including how to recognize acute stress reactions, long-term stress and related psychological and maladaptive behaviors. Team members present at local and state conferences on these topics and peer support methods. Several Team members belong to other agencies and organizations that support the ESP community. The Metro CISM Team maintains a newly revised website with information available for ESP who may be seeking support independent of their agency resources, including fact sheets on CISM and Peer Support.”

“After the LODD of 3 First Responders in a neighboring community, the CISM Team developed a Commemorative Patch for sale as a fundraising strategy to support the families of the victims and the Metro CISM Team. The profit from the patch sales were evenly split between the CISM Team and the Law Enforcement Legal Services organization, which was handing donations for the families.”