Illinois Corps Of Fire Chaplains, Inc (ICFC)

New Training Opportunity and Firefighter Suicide Reporting Link

Counseling Services for Firefighters, LLC presents:
An Internal Size Up

This CSFF workshop will give you a greater sense of awareness on how to properly listen, support and identify behavioral health issues that firefighters and their families face.

 

·         Behavioral health definitions

·         Signs and symptoms

·         Addictions, PTSD

·         Professional health recommendations

·         Role play exercises

·         Q & A session

·         Includes complete workbook and certificate

Thursday, April 29, 2010

8:30am—12:30pm

Hanover Park Fire Department

6850 Barrington Rd.

Hanover Park, IL 60133

Download Fire Officer workshop Hanover Park AMI

FIREFIGHTER SUICIDE REPORTING
In order for CSFF to be able to serve the needs of the fire service family, the more information we can gather on the firefighter suicide mechanism for pro-active training, the better.  By gathering as much information as we can, we can provide a profile that helps identify at-risk firefighters before this tragedy strikes.  This information has proven to be an invaluable tool for the police service.
Further details are available on the CSFF website.

 

Click the link below to go to the reporting form and information page.

https://www.csff.info/FF_Suicide_Report.php

NFFF Taking Care of Our Own Training 3.29.10

March 29, 2010 - Monday   0900-1600

Hosted by Glenside FPD

1608 Bloomingdale Road

Glendale Heights, IL 60139  

(630)668-5323

Lunch and snacks provided

Pre-registration is required. Size is limited to 5O attendees. No Charge

Fire Departments don't know when they will have a line-of-duty death or serious injury.  

Do you have a plan in place? Do you know how to notify survivors in a timely and proper way? Are your personnel records current? Do you know how to access Federal, State and local benefits?

Targeted for senior fire officers, chaplains and Honor Guard commanders, this course covers pre-incident planning, survivor notification, family and coworker support, and benefits and resources available for survivors.

Download LODD Glenside3.29.10

FFC Chaplain and CISM Training

 Federation of Fire Chaplains
Great Lakes Regional
Fire Chaplains and CISM
Annual Training Institute

April 19-20, 2010

Wayne Township Fire Headquarters
700 North High School Road
Indianapolis, IN

Download FireTrainingInstBrochure

FFC Southeastern Region Training

The Federation of Fire Chaplains (FFC) is organized by Regions.  The Southeast Region just posted its 2010 Training Schedule. 

For more information on any of the courses below please contact

Chaplain Paul Trumpore
FFC Southeast Region Director
PNTrumpore@aol.com

Classes for the Southeast Region in 2010 include:

04-06 Jan
Individual and Group Crisis Intervention in Jackson

19-20 Feb - awaiting final confirmation
Essentials of Emergency Service Chaplaincy (Basic Chaplain Academy) at Alabama Fire College in Tuscaloosa

06-07 Mar
Essentials of Emergency Service Chaplaincy (Basic Chaplain Academy) at Smoky Mountain Weekend (a statewide fire service training event in East TN)

06-07 Mar
Advanced Communications - Preparing For Disaster (Amateur Radio Technician) class at Smoky Mountain Weekend (a statewide fire service training event in East TN)

18-20 Mar
Individual and Group Crisis
Intervention class at TN Fire Academy

08-09 Apr
CISM for Families in Nashville, TN

July - possible class - not confirmed
Essentials of Fire Chaplaincy class in Lincolnton, NC

09-10 Aug
Advanced CISM at TN Fire Academy

11-12 Aug
Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Post-vention at TN Fire Academy

11-12 Aug
Essentials of Emergency Service Chaplaincy (Basic Chaplain Academy) at TN Fire Academy

13-14 Aug
Line-of-Duty Death Incident Response Course for Chaplains at TN Fire Academy

15-21 Oct
Bus Trip to Federation of Fire Chaplains Annual Training Conference near Cincinnati. OH

04-05 Nov (date not yet confirmed)
Course TBA for Region-2 EMS Directors Conference in Gatlinburg

Possible one-day mini-conference in Walthoursville, GA for Spring/Summer 2010.

Counseling Services for Fire Fighters, LLC Training

Hi all: 

Battaion Chief Jeff Dill (Palatine Rural FPD) is hosting two trainings that you might be interested in.  The first is intended for fire officers (or those chaplains with FD experience) and a second will be held in February for counselors/chaplains interested in working with fire fighters who are new to the fire service. Call or email Jeff for info on the February training date and location.  

 

The ICFC is interested in working with B/C Dill to enhance our training in the work we do. Working with Jeff will give us access to professional consultation as we develop our materials, new courses and the printed resources that we offer to fire departments and chaplains alike. Together we are also working with the Everyone Goes Home program to effectively address Initiative #13 and toward the development of teaching resources that can be used with that program.

Jennie

 

 

After Hurricane Katrina I decided to go back to school for my Master's Degree in Counseling.  I saw a need to develop a relationship between clinicians and the fire service.  In doing so I developed workshops that address several needs with one being a workshop directed towards fire officers.  This is a four-hour, hands-on, interactive role play class, in which fire officers will gain insight as to behavioral issues of firefighters, how to recognize signs and symptoms, how to help struggling firefighters and direct them to the appropriate care.

 

I have revised my costs for these workshops due to the economy so I am offering this course titled, An Internal Size-Up  for $30 per person. 

 

Please see the attachment for further details.  I am also leading a PTSD group for firefighters at my intern site at McHenry Family Services in McHenry, IL.  Additional information can be found on our web site at www.csff.info.

 

Download Seniorofficerworkshopandregistrationform

Regards,

Jeff Dill
Founder
Counseling Services for Fire Fighters, LLC
P.O. Box 1141
Woodstock, IL 60098
Office: 815-308-5082
Mobile: 847-209-8208
jeff@csff.info

A Chief's Perspective on The Worcester Fire

The excerpt below is from the most recent email update (12/1/09) from  TheSecretList@FirefighterCloseCalls.com

December 3rd marks the 10 year anniversary of a major fire and tragic LODD that will be remembered for decades to come.  The excerpt below and article linked at the end should be required reading for every Fire Chaplain seeking to gain a better understanding of those we serve and to appreciate the valiant history of the fire service. 

May God surround and protect all who still feel the pain of that day.
Peace,

Jennie

 

 

The Worcester Fire Department responded at 1813 hours that night to Box Alarm 1438 for a fire at 266 Franklin Street.(NOTE: 266 Franklin Street is now the the address and location of WFD's E-6, E-12, L-1, R-1 and Scuba-1 quarters)

 

2 members of rescue 1, Firefighter Paul Brotherton and Firefighter Jerry Lucey, entered the building searching for occupants. Fire conditions worsened in the building at a rapid and unexpected rate. FF's Brotherton and Lucey, on the fifth floor, became disoriented in the smoke-filled building. Lost, and running low on air, they called for help. Several crews began searching for the lost Firefighters. Two crews reaching the fifth floor also found themselves disoriented in the smoke and trapped by the maze of interior walls: Lieutenant Tom Spencer and Firefighter Tim Jackson from Ladder 2, and Firefighter Jay Lyons and Firefighter Joe McGuirk from Engine 3 were now trapped. Though many more highly heroic fire fighters attempted to locate their missing brothers, their efforts proved futile.

 

Be sure to read the link below, entitled "A Chiefs Perspective" about WFD District (Ret) Chief Mike McNamee, who made the beyond difficult decision to end search operations for the missing members-and saved more lives by doing so.

The Line of Duty Deaths of Worcester Firefighters Paul A. Brotherton, Timothy P. Jackson, Jeremiah M. Lucey, James F. "Jay" Lyons III, Joseph T. McGuirk, and Lt. Thomas E. Spencer devastated Worcester, the Fire service, the nation and the world. Their Line of Duty deaths marked the worst loss of Firefighters' lives in more than 20 years in a building fire in America, and the third worst fire in Massachusetts' history.

http://www.telegram.com/article/20091129/NEWS/911290432/1052

SMART Search and Rescue Training 2010

Mark Your Calendars! 

Saturday February 6, 2010
Navigational Class - Steger, IL Fire Department
1000 – 1500 hrs

35 W 34th St
Steger, IL 60475-1013
(708) 754-1729

Saturday and Sunday April 17 &18, 2010
2 day Search and Rescue Class
(Clergy excused from Sunday if worship duties conflict)
Training starts out in Crete, IL at their EOC
Sign in Time is 0730. Plan to stay until at least 1900 hrs on Saturday.

524 W. Exchange St.
Crete, IL 60417
Ph. (708) 672-5431

Please let me know if you are interested in this class.
Ken Cook...SMART SAR
lbear1115@comcast.net

"SMART" (Suburban Mutual Assistance Team), is a 33 member suburban ESDA association in Cook and Will counties. The Search and Rescue team for SMART hosts periodic one and two day training for MABAS Chaplains who would like to learn about participating as a Chaplain in Search and Rescue operations and becoming a member of the SMART chaplain response team.

SMART is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the lives and the property of the citizens within its boundaries, and the enhancement of Emergency Services and Disaster Agency (ESDA) programs through mutual aid to its jurisdictional members.

What is Chaplain Team Training for SMART?  We train like everyone else does.
We train for the Search and Rescue team, even if we may not be out searching is called in. The Chaplain Team is responsible for the emotional and spiritual care of personnel on scene and the family affected.  Specific duties depend on the type of scene and needs of command.

Ken Cook leads the training.
Plan to stay all day, do classroom and field work. 
Dress for the weather as much of the training will be outside in wooded areas. 

Dress for the weather
You must be visible in the dark! Turnout or reflective vest recommended.
Bring safety goggles, good flashlight, head protection and gloves.
Also bring plastic ziplock bags, notepad and pen.

 

 

SMART Search and Rescue Team Training

SMART Search and Rescue Team Training
November 14 and 15, 2009 

Training starts out in Crete, IL at their EOC

524 W. Exchange St.
Crete, IL 60417
Ph. (708) 672-5431

Sign in time on November 14, 2009 is at 0730

Please let me know if you are interested in this class.
Ken Cook...SMART SAR
lbear1115@comcast.net

"SMART" (Suburban Mutual Assistance Team), is a 33 member suburban ESDA association in Cook and Will counties. The Search and Rescue team for SMART hosts periodic one and two day training for MABAS Chaplains who would like to learn about participating as a Chaplain in Search and Rescue operations and becoming a member of the SMART chaplain response team.

SMART is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the lives and the property of the citizens within its boundaries, and the enhancement of Emergency Services and Disaster Agency (ESDA) programs through mutual aid to its jurisdictional members.

Chaplain Training for SMART - we train like everyone else does.

Ken Cook leads the training.
Plan to stay all day, do classroom and field work. 
Dress for the weather as much of the training will be outside in wooded areas. 

Dress for the weather
You must be visible in the dark! Turnout or reflective vest recommended.
Bring safety goggles, good flashlight, head protection and gloves.
Also bring plastic ziplock bags, notepad and pen.

Everyone Goes Home Courage to be Safe Program

The Illinois Task Force on Firefighter Life Safety
presents Everyone Goes Home - Train the Trainer

Firefighters must have the courage to face a multitude of risks in order to save
lives and protect their communities. Their courage allows them to willingly risk
their own lives so that others can be saved. A different type of courage is
required to stay safe in potentially dangerous situations, avoiding needless risks
and tragic consequences. This provocative and moving presentation is
designed to change the culture of accepting the loss of firefighters as a normal
occurrence. Building on the untold story of LODD survivors, it reveals how family
members must live with the consequences of a firefighter death and provides a
focus on the need for firefighters and officers to change fundamental attitudes
and behaviors in order to prevent line of duty deaths. The central theme
promotes the courage to do the right thing in order to protect yourself and other
firefighters and ensure that "Everyone Goes Home" at the end of the day.

 
This program is a must see for all who care, share, and have a
feeling for the safety of all firefighters!

When: Saturday, November 21, 2009 (Black Shift)
Where: Palatine Rural Fire Protection District
35 North Ela Road
Inverness, IL 60067
Time: 9:00 am to 2:00pm

Cost: Paid for by National Fallen Firefighters Foundation

Registration Below

Download Everyone Goes Home - Train the Trainer-1

Yes, it is a family.

Staying in touch with the larger fire service community is critical to understanding the lives, fears and celebrations of those we serve. Here are a few websites to keep you in the loop. 

http://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/

http://buffalosbravest.com/index.htm

http://www.firehero.org/

Consider signing up for updates to keep up with important information, events and incidents.

Illinois Fire Service Institute

Looking for fire service related classes in your county?
IFSI offers many classes at virtual campuses around the state of Illinois.

Mission
Helping Firefighters do their Work through Training, Education, Information and Research 

Click below to find courses near you

http://www.fsi.illinois.edu/content/courses/schedule/map.cfm

Fire Engineering Article on Chaplains

Here is the link to the recently published Fire Engineering Article presenting the Illinois MABAS Fire Chaplain Program.  Enjoy!

http://www.fireengineering.com/display_article/367524/25/none/none/Feat/Fire-Chaplains-Integral-Part-of-Response-Team

Incident Reports and Chaplain Duties

Sometimes I here of new chaplains asking how they can help their departments know 'what to do with them'.  We have recently begun sharing incident reports at each of our Division 12 Chaplain Committee monthly trainings.  Here are examples of two such reports from Chatham, IL in Division 48.  Thank you to Dave Volkert for providing a snapshot of what he sometimes does on scene for his department.

Chaplain experience, training, roles and procedures vary from department to department.  Your Fire Chief will decide what is needed in your municipality, but knowing what others do may be of help and encouragement. Dave was a firefighter for a number of years before becoming a chaplain and brings a wealth of experience to his job and these reports come in his own words.

Incident #1
The Fire Department was paged out to a structure fire,  The first engine arriving on scene found flames coming from the roof of a tri-level home.  I arrived on scene, located the homeowner and verified that all family members and pets were accounted for and that no one was still in the house.  I also gathered vital information and location of items, chemicals, etc. that could possibly harm the firefighters. 
After the basic information was taken, the Fire Chief assigned me to keep track of all firefighters on the accountability clipboard, from various districts, and account for their positions at all times.

Incident #2
the department was paged out on a 10-7 structure fire of a two story home 8 miles outside the city limits.  The home was totally engulfed.  The fire glow could be seen 5 miles from the site.

Upon arriving, I located the owner. While talking with him I found out that over 50 years worth of newspapers and books were stacked throughout the house. Realizing this would pose a danger to the firefighters, I immediately informed the Fire Chief of the situation. He then relayed the information to the firefighters about this dangerous threat that could even cause the collapse of the second story.

Summary:
In Chatham the Fire Chaplain carries many different duties. The Fire Chief and Firefighters must concentrate on the structure. The Fire Chaplain then steps in to gather information and to be the eyes and ears of the surroundings. The important role of the Fire Chaplain can aid in making the scene safe for the firefighters. Below are some of the duties the chaplain may be asked to perform in Chatham.

1. Collecting general information for the owner.
2. Distribute After The Fire pamphlets to the home owners on what they need to do in the first 24 hours following the fire.
3. Gather insurance information.
4. Call for assistance from local organizations such as Red Cross who bring food and water to the scene for the firefighters.
5. Distribute water as firefighters come out of the structure.
6. Be available to get equipment as the Fire Chief requests it.
7. Help check all firefighter's conditions.
8. Fill out reports for the Fire Chief.

Copies of Chatham's incident report forms are listed here
http://www.ilfirechaplains.org/sample-policy-listings.html

National Fire Academy VIP Program

The Volunteer Incentive Program (VIP) is an intensive 6-day educational opportunity designed specifically for volunteer and combination department emergency services personnel.
For complete information go to
http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/nfa/resident/vip/index.shtm

Since 1980, the National Fire Academy (NFA) has offered 2-week courses year round on its Emmitsburg, Maryland, campus; these courses are considered the best available anywhere. The problem was that most volunteers couldn't take 2 weeks off to attend these courses.

With VIP, that has all changed!

The NFA has compressed course work into 6 days, or has devised new courses and tailored them to the special needs of volunteers, still maintaining content, quality, and integrity. VIP course, offered during a "VIP Week" four times per fiscal year also have recommended college accreditation through the American Council on Education (ACE).

Student have the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas and information with colleagues from across the country in an informal setting outside the classroom. This program, along with the other resources of the National Fire Academy, ensures a successful learning experience while keeping the time commitment to a minimum.

The VIP curriculum consists of the following courses:

• Command and Control of Fire Department Operations at Target Hazards (R825)
• Challenges for Local Training Officers (CLTO) (R815)
• Command and Control of Incident Operations (CCIO)(formerly Fire Command Operations) (R831)
• Community Education Leadership (CEL) (R816)
• Fire Cause Determination for Company Officers (FCDCO) (R811)
• Leadership and Administration (LA) (R810)
• Advanced Safety Operations and Management (ASOM) (R822)
• Leading Community Fire Prevention (R823)
• Management Strategies for Success (R824)
• Presenting Effective Public Education Programs (R826)

Firefighter Fatalities Email Notifications

https://service.govdelivery.com/service/subscribe.html?code=USDHSFA_17

The link above enables you to receive an email from the United States Fire Administration when there has been a firefighter fatality.  It is important for us to be aware of the needs of our personnel, and the significance of the events that occur. 
 
You can also learn more about the study and resources concerning these events here:
http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/