Illinois Corps Of Fire Chaplains, Inc (ICFC)

Take Advantage of the Many 2015 Chaplain Training Opportunities

Many Fire Chaplains have been asking where they can get training to be equipped as Fire Chaplains.  This year there are several courses being offered, and some of them are FREE!  All of these classes require registration and are excellent opportunities to expand your chaplaincy skills.  

Feb 20-21  Pastoral Crisis Intervention (FREE)
                       host: Salvation Army, Elk Grove Village, Il
                       http://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/training/?classes
                       contact: Jennifer Goodwin 847-709-6605
                                     jennifer_goodwin@usc.salvationarmy.org

Apr 17-18   Emotional & Spiritual Care in Disaster Operations (FREE)
                       host: Salvation Army, Elk Grove Village, Il
                       http://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/training/?classes
                       contact: Jennifer Goodwin 847-709-6605
                                     jennifer_goodwin@usc.salvationarmy.org

Apr 21-22  Essentials of Fire Chaplaincy ($125)
                  Grief Following Trauma ($125)
                  Pastoral Crisis Intervention I ($125)
                      host: Indiana Fire Chaplains, Indianapolis, IN
                      http://www.indianafirechaplains.org/2015-conference.html
                      contact: Tony Portell 317-410-1010
                                    tportell@gmail.com

Apr 30-5/1 Essentials of Fire Chaplaincy ($100)
                       host: MABAS 54 Chaplain Training Institute, Effingham, Il
                       contact: Jim Wright 630-483-6395
                                     jimwright1961@gmail.com

Jun 24-27  Group Crisis Intervention (FREE)
                  Individual Crisis Intervention (FREE)
                  Spiritual & Psychological First Aid (FREE)
                  Grief Following Trauma (FREE)
                      host: K-Love/@Williowcreek Church, Barrington
                      www.crisisresponse.org
                      contact:  ???
                                     www.crisisresponse.org

Oct 30-31 Grief Following Trauma (FREE)
                       host: Salvation Army, Elk Grove Village, Il
                       http://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/training/?classes
                       contact: Jennifer Goodwin 847-709-6605
                                     jennifer_goodwin@usc.salvationarmy.org

It’s Time to Renew Your Illinois Corps of Fire Chaplains membership

We recently contacted 150 fire chaplains across the state.  Several things became apparent during those calls.  One was the number of those asking how to get trained and what training is available.  Another was the number wondering if there are other chaplains near them (They were looking for support, wanting to link arms with others who could help them better serve).  The last was the number of chaplains expressing appreciation for receiving a simple phone call asking how the ICFC can better serve them.

There really is a need for an Illinois Corps of Fire Chaplains and there is a need for you to be a member.  When you join the ICFC you benefit greatly.  This also benefits other chaplains across the state.  We exist to serve and support fire service chaplains and fire service agencies.  That includes you.  Sometimes that means helping a department develop a chaplaincy program.  At other times it’s providing encouragement, training and networking for chaplains.  And there are the times when it’s walking a brand new chaplain through the steps necessary to be equipped to serve.

In a sense, you are serving yourself and others.

Membership also provides standing in a professional organization recognized across the state.  What many don’t know is that MABAS Illinois looks to the the ICFC to set the standards for fire chaplain training.  Chiefs want to know that when they request a chaplain for mutual aid, that person can be counted on to have the knowledge, skills and aptitudes to competently help.

Please take the time now to renew your membership.  Renewing is simple.  Complete and send in the downloadable membership application along with the $35 renewal fee payable to "Illinois Corps of Fire Chaplains."

download ICFC "Member Application"

Thank you for the privilege of serving you in 2015.

 

Ray Gurunian
ICFC president
(630) 267-6083
rgurunian@ilfirechaplains.org

New Address and Contact Info for the ICFC

 

 

 

 

 

Please Note: Our address, contact phone number and email address have changed

 

New Administrative Headquarters:

 

    Illinois Corps of Fire Chaplains
    1268 Rose Ave.

    Carol Stream,  IL  60188

Contact person:

• Ray Gurunian, ICFC President  rgurunian@ilfirechaplains.org 
      (630) 267-6083

Welcome New Officers to the ICFC

While the mission of the ICFC has stayed the same, our leadership has recently changed. When our founder, Jennie Swanson, moved to Wisconsin, chaplains Dave Van Laar and Ray Gurunian were elected as President and Vice-President.

Earlier this year Dave was asked to take the helm of the nation's Biscuit and Cookie Manufacturing Association. Those who know Dave recognize this is not a job for him, but a ministry opportunity he is uniquely qualified for.  But the time he now has to spend in Washington DC has made it impossible for him to continue on the ICFC board.  Please pray for him. His service to fire chaplains in our state over the last year has been greatly appreciated.

New officers were appointed in October to the following positions:

• Ray Gurunian, chaplain Carol Stream FPD - President
• Frank Dominowski, chaplain Hanover Park FPD - Vice-President
• Mary Cramer, chaplain Nunda Rural FPD - Treasurer

The transition has not been easy but we are working hard to see the ICFC running smoothly again. Much work needs to be done and much progress is being made in our goal to support fire chaplains across the state.

Over the next couple of months you can expect a personal call from one of us. Please take time to let us get to know you, and feel free to let us know how we can best support you.

Ray Gurunian
(630) 267-6083

ICFC Chaplain Intern Manual Now Available

 

 

 

A new resource is available for training Fire Chaplains.  Following the format of Probationary Firefighter (Probie) Manuals, chaplain Ray Gurunian has created a Chaplain Intern Training Manual.  It was recently adopted by the MABAS Division 12 Fire Chiefs as the standard for training Chaplains in all Division 12.

 

It is not a textbook with scripted information for a Mentor to read to a new Chaplain.  It is a syllabus, and each section has instructions for the Mentor Chaplain and Instructions for the Chaplain Intern.  For each section there is a list of items for the Mentor Chaplain to discuss, teach or have the Intern Chaplain do.  Corresponding is a list of items for the Intern Chaplain to do or demonstrate familiarty with.  The goal is to make sure Chaplains have the knowledge, skills and abilities needed for their ministry.  It has enough detail to direct the process without telling a Mentor exactly what to say when training a new Chaplain.  Topics include:

• Training Courses Year 1 
• Chaplain Basics
• Operating on Fire Ground
• Operating on a Roadway Incident
• Full Arrests and DOA's
• Victim Resources
• Theology of Suffering
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Station Visits
• Fire Operations
• Fire History & Culture
• Case Discussions
• Counseling Firefighters
• Departmental issues
• Training Courses Year 2 & 3

Download InternChaplainManual

Updated Membership Application

To apply for membership in the Illinois Corps of Fire Chaplains, download and mail the following completed documents to:

Illinois Corps of Fire Chaplains
1268 Rose Ave.
Carol Stream, IL 60188

download ICFC "Member Application"
download "ICFC List of References"

Request for Fire Chaplain Training Opportunity Information

We frequently get requests about upcoming opportunities for Fire Chaplains to be further equipped.  Many training opportunities exist, local, MABAS Divisional, statewide and national.  There are CISM classes, Basic Fire Chaplain courses and even some other unique workshops available.  Some Divisions put together a calendar of incredible events each year.  But no one is putting it all together.

We are going to put together a comprehensive year long calendar where we can refer people.

If you are aware of any training events, please share them with the rest of us.  Send the pertinent information (title of training, date, contact info, and if available website and registration form) to Ray Gurunian at:

rgurunian@ilfirechaplains.org

New ICFC Publication: Fire Chief's Guide

The ICFC proudly releases the first printed publication from the ICFC, authored by Fire Chief Curt Kramer (Hampshire, IL) entitled The Fire Chief's Guide to the Care and Feeding of Chaplains.

This publication was first distributed at the 2010 Fire Rescue International Conference here in Chicago during our presentation An All-Hazards Plan for Utilizing Chaplains in Emergency Response, taught by Chaplain Jennie Swanson and Fire Chief Craig Haigh of Hanover Park, IL as well as Fire Chief Curt Kramer.

This brief and humorous guide gives you what you need to know about the new standard for fire chaplain program establishment, training and implementation.  These are the standards that we follow here in Illinois through the Illinois Corps of Fire Chaplains and the MABAS Chaplain Program. 

Enjoy and distribute as needed! (Intended to be printed double sided in booklet form)

 Download Thefirechiefsguide