Illinois Corps Of Fire Chaplains, Inc (ICFC)

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) 918-1710

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

New Address and Contact Info for the ICFC

 

 

 

 

 

Please Note: We've changed our address and contact person

 

New Administrative Headquarters:

 

    Ilinois Corps of Fire Chaplains
    c/o Carol Stream Fire Protection District
    365 Kuhn Rd.

    Carol Stream,  IL  60188

Contact person:

• Ray Gurunian, ICFC Vice President  rgurunian@carolstreamfire.org
      (630) 918-1710

         

 

 

Key CISM Courses for Chaplains to be taught in Chicago Area

2014 ICISF Regional Conference, Chicago IL
October 22-26, 2014

Several CISM courses, important for fire chaplains, are scheduled to be taught at the upcoming ICISF Regional Conference in October. It is sometimes difficult to find these classes offered nearby, which makes taking advantage of this opportunity important. Three of the courses fulfill training requirements for Illinois Corps of Fire Chaplains members to complete within their first 3 years of chaplaincy.

• Pastoral Crisis Intervention 1 & 2
• Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention
• Individuals Crisis Intervention and Peer Support and Group Crisis Intervention Conference Information

Conference Information

2014 ICFC Chaplain Training Opportunities

click on titles for downloadable information

• Feb 22
  "Suicide Awareness: Introduction for Crisis Responders" Salvation Army Elk Grove Village, Il www.ilfirechaplains.org/

• March 13
  "Chaplain's Tool Box" Ray Gurunian MABAS Div 12 Carol Stream FPD #28, IL

• Apr 8-9 2014
  Indiana Chaplains (Indianapolis) Carmel, IN www.indianafirechaplains.org/services.html
  "Essentials of Fire Chaplaincy (Basic Level 101)" Ed Stauffer +
  "Pastoral Crisis Intervention 1" Glen Calkins
  "Stress Management in Trauma Responders" Ed Hatcher

• May 2-3
  "CISM Grief Following Trauma" MABAS Div 54 Effingham, IL www.mabas54.org/Chaplains-Div.54.htm

• May 8
  "Chiefs & Chaplains" MABAS Div 12 Carol Stream FPD #28, IL

• May 23
  "Interacting with the family of a deceased person" MABAS Div 5, Woodstock, IL
  Chaplain Gerry Schalk   gschalk@stmatthewbarrington.org

• Aug 14
  Burn Tower Live Burn and Assorted Demonstrations CSFPD MABAS Div 12 Carol Stream FPD #28, IL

• Nov 13
  Case Discussions Ray Gurunian MABAS Div 12 Carol Stream FPD #28, IL

Training Opportunity

Topic:        • Interacting with the family of a deceased person;
                 • Coordination between Coroner's Office, Fire Chaplains &
                   EMS Personnel;
                 • Tour of the Coroner's facility

Host:          MABAS Division 5

Where:       Media Room of Building A-Lower Level, behind the Courthouse
                  2200 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock,  IL

When:        Friday May 23, 9:00 - 11:30 am

Presenter:    Dr. Anne Majewski, McHenry County Coroner

 

Please respond with who will be attending by Thursday, May 15, via email to Chaplain Gerry "Rev" Schalk-
gschalk@stmatthewbarrington.org

2 New 2014 Chaplain Training Opportunities

The Illinois Corps of Fire Chaplains (ICFC) is working with two Illinois fire organizations to provide a forum for Chaplain training during their conferences.  These will also be opportunities to interact with the organizations we serve.  Please mark these dates on your calendars and take advantage of these important Chaplain trainings:

June 19-21
Illinois Assoc. of Fire Protection Districts Conference
Springfield, IL 
www.iafpd.org

October 16-19
Illinois Firefighters Association 'Down & Dirty'
Champaign, IL
www.illinoisfirefighters.org

The ICFC will provide more information as it is finalized.  Each organization’s website is listed above.  Registration is done directly with each organization when they make it available.

Tentatively, training will be offered in the following areas:

• Psychological First Aid (basic requirement for ICFC Chaplains)
• Fireground Culture (basic requirement for ICFC Chaplains)
• Fireground Communications
• A Chief’s Expectations
• L.O.D.D.
• Case Studies

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
c/o Carol Stream Fire Protection District
365 Kuhn Rd.
Carol Stream, IL 60188

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

 

 

2014 Division 12 Chaplain Training Calendar

Division 12's training calendar is out with 5 quality trainings slated.  You don't have to be a Division 12 Chaplain to come and benefit.

download calendar

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@carolstreamfire.org