Illinois Corps Of Fire Chaplains, Inc (ICFC)

Dissolution of ICFC

As many of you are aware, the membership of the Illinois Corps of Fire Chaplains voted earlier this year to dissolve the organization.  The plan for dissolution was implemented and completed in May, 2016.  We know this is not the outcome many wanted to hear.  Chaplains still have a need for resources and training.  To that end, this website will remain active through December, 2016.  If you are aware of any events that might be of interest to fire chaplains or other personnel, please forward any announcements to Chaplain Mary Cramer for posting.

The ICFC website contains a number of useful resources and links for those interested in establishing and maintaining a fire chaplaincy program.  A great place to start is The Fire Chiefs' Guide to the Care and Feeding of Chaplains. To get an overview of the nut-and-bolts of orienting, mentoring and working with a chaplain within your agency, check out the Chaplain Intern Manual.

Take some time to browse through the Articles and Information links on the left side of the website.  A number of sample policies, SOGs and manuals are available for review.

We remain available to you . . . to answer your questions, provide support and encouragement and support your ministries in fire service . . . 

Frank Dominowski, 630-918-1011, fdominowski@hpil.org
Mary Cramer, mcramer@nundafire.com

SERVE RESPONSIBLY

SUPPORT FAITHFULLY

TRAIN EFFECTIVELY

Frank Dominowski, 630-918-1011, fdominowski@hpil.org
Mary Cramer, mcramer@nundafire.com

September training — CISM Group Crisis Intervention

STILL TIME TO REGISTER . . .

 

MABAS 54 Fire Chaplain Training Institute

Critical Incident Stress Management: Group Crisis Intervention

Thursday and Friday, September 29 & 30, 2016

Effingham Central Fire Station

Effingham, Illinois

Participants will gain the knowledge and tools

to provide several group crisis interventions,

specifically demobilizations, defusings and

the Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD).

Our instructor will be Darrel Coons.

Lunch will be on your own at local restaurants.

Download Training Flyer 9.29.16 CISM Group

CISM: Group Crisis Intervention training

MABAS 54 Fire Chaplain Training Institute

Critical Incident Stress Management: Group Crisis Intervention

Thursday and Friday, September 29 & 30

Effingham Central Fire Station

Effingham, Illinois

Participants will gain the knowledge and tools

to provide several group crisis interventions,

specifically demobilizations, defusings and

the Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD).

Our instructor will be Darrel Coons.

Lunch will be on your own at local restaurants.

Download Training Flyer 9.29.16 CISM Group

FFC training opportunities

As part of the Illinois Corps of Fire Chaplains plan for dissolution, the remaining financial assets were transferred to the Federation of Fire Chaplains.  The FFC has graciously designated these funds to provide financial assistance to those wishing to pursue FFC chaplain training.  The calendar of training events, including an opportunity in Wisconsin, is available at the FFC website.

If you are interested in registering for an FFC training event, contact FFC Executive Director Ed Stauffer.  Identify yourself as a member of the ICFC and request assistance in completing the registration process.

Training Opportunities with Salvation Army

Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Training is available throughout the year at no charge unless specified.  All courses require registration.  Full-day courses provide lunch.  Attendance at all sessions required in order to receive certificate of completion.

For further information, call 847-415-7092 or contact Ed Johnson Ed_Johnson@usc.salvationarmy.org

For complete course information, visit

http://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/training/?classes&state=IL

 

 

Registration now open for CISM training

Crisis Response Training

sponsored by K-LOVE
Registration for classes in northeastern Illinois/Chicago area is now open

Emotional & Spiritual Care in Disasters – July 13 & 14, 2016
Spiritual and Psychological First Aid – July 13 & 14, 2016
Grief Following Trauma – July 15 & 16, 2016
Understanding Suicide – July 15 & 16, 2016

See website for complete listings and to register

http://www.crisisresponse.org/

Federation of Fire Chaplains events

The FFC has a number of training events scheduled, including Essentials of Fire Chaplaincy.  Check the website for dates and specific locations:

http://www.firechaplains.org/

Online Training Opportunities for Fire Chaplains

all courses are available at no cost

National Incident Management System
[see link at lower left for NIMS training online]

Each course is three hours in length, followed by a test.  A certificate is issued upon completion of the course and the test.  Recommended courses for fire chaplains include:

• IS - 100.b    Introduction to Incident Command System, ICS-100
• IS - 200.b    ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
• IS - 700.a    (NIMS) An Introduction
• IS - 800.b    National Response Framework, An Introduction

National Child Traumatic Stress Network
http://learn.nctsn.org/

Psychological First Aid Online - includes a 6-hour interactive course that puts the participant in the role of a provider in a post-disaster scene.  A certificate is issued upon completion of the course and a test.

National Fallen Firefighter Foundation
http://www.firehero.org/

Each course is one hour in length, followed by a test.  A certificate is issued upon completion of the course and the test.

• Courage To Be Safe
• Creating Change in the Fire Service
• Curbside Manner: Stress First Aid for the Street
• Everyone Goes Home: After Action Review
• Leadership, Accountability, Culture and Knowledge (LACK)
• Stress First Aid for Fire and EMS Personnel
• Taking Care of Our Own

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
http://www.illinois.gov/dcfs/

Online Mandated Reporter Training is two hours in length.  A certificate is issued upon completion of the course and the test.

South Central Center for Public Health Preparedness
http://www.southcentralpartnership.org/

There are a number of courses available, including Psychological First Aid: Building Resiliency for “Us” and “Them.”  This course is 2 hours.  A certificate is issued upon completion of the course and the test. 

National Center for PTSD
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/PTSD

What is PTSD?  is 1 hour.  No test or certificate provided.

Firefighters Support Foundation Inc.
http://www.fireengineering.com/training/

These videos are 30-90 minutes in length with no certificates or tests provided.  Many topics provide related written materials/PowerPoint presentations.  Fire chaplains will find these particularly useful:

• Dealing with the Mentally Ill
• Chemical Suicides
• Emergency Incident Rehabilitation
• When a Child Dies on a Call
• When to Seek Therapy
• Dealing with a Line-of-Duty-Death (LODD)

 

2016 training opportunities - Chicago area

These courses are available at no cost:

Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services Center
1000 Pratt Blvd., Elk Grove Village, IL
Contact person: Ed Johnson (847-709-6621 or 847-415-7092)  mailto:edwin_johnson@unc.salvationarmy.org

Spiritual and Psychological First Aid – April 1 & 2, 2016
Grief Following Trauma – May 20 & 21, 2016

 

K-LOVE Crisis Response Training
Registration opens 90 days prior to event; locations will be announced at that time.  Registration for Chicago-area events opens April 15.  See website for complete listings.

http://www.crisisresponse.org/

Emotional & Spiritual Care in Disasters – July 13 & 14, 2016
Spiritual and Psychological First Aid – July 13 & 14, 2016
Grief Following Trauma – July 15 & 16, 2016
Understanding Suicide – July 15 & 16, 2016

save the date

2016 Rosecrance Florian Symposium

a comprehensive look at behavioral health in the fire service

WHEN:  September 28-30, 2016

        WHERE:  Loews Chicago O'Hare Hotel
 Rosemont, IL

 more information will be available at:  rosecrance.org/
 or https://www.facebook.com/rosecranceflorian

Results of the Illinois Corps of Fire Chaplains vote to dissolve

Dear Members of the Illinois Corps of Fire Chaplains,

First as a Board we want to thank you for all of your thoughtful responses and contributions to the discussion about the future of the ICFC.  This has not been an easy process.

On January 22 the Board of Directors met to review last month’s vote.  ICFC vice-President, Frank Dominowski and Treasurer, Mary Cramer, counted the ballots.  The results were in favor of the proposal to dissolve the Illinois Corps of Fire Chaplains.

We know this is not the news many wanted to receive.  Chaplains still have a need for resources and training.  Some have suggested that the need could be met by chaplains organizing regionally, possibly by MABAS division.  With people still inquiring about fire chaplaincy and training, this may be the time for you to make a concerted effort to organize in your region.

In light of the vote the Board decided to do the following:
-to extend the membership of all 2015 ICFC members through 2016
-to keep the ICFC website up through 2016 and for Mary Cramer to use it to post appropriate chaplain training opportunities
-for Frank Dominowski and Mary Cramer to remain available as contacts for individuals looking for direction or networking with other chaplains.

We also will follow through with the proposed plan for dissolution, which is:

[1] all ICFC bills will be paid by the Treasurer,
[2] all outstanding ICFC accounts will be closed,
[3] remaining financial assets of the ICFC will be given to the Federation of Fire Chaplains, a 501(c)(3) organization, in accord with the instructions regarding dissolution contained in “Attachment A to the Articles of Incorporation of the Illinois Corps of Fire Chaplains",
[4] any necessary final reports will be filed with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office and Illinois Secretary of State,
[5] the ICFC website will be prepaid and the website remain on the internet for 2016 (informing of the dissolution of the ICFC and referring interested individuals to Mary Cramer and Frank Dominowski for information about the fire chaplaincy),
[6] and all records will be kept by Mary Cramer for a period of 7 years after the dissolution is approved."

Please contact any of the Board members if you have questions.

Sincerely,

Ray Gurunian, on behalf of the Board of Directors

Frank Dominowski, vice-president, 630-918-1011, fdominowski@hpil.org
Mary Cramer, treasurer, mcramer@nundafire.com