Chaplain

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Our chaplains are an integral part of the Health and Safety Division of the Department. They are trained to provide support for the members of our Department, their families and the citizens of the community we serve. Currently we have two Chaplains on staff: Mike Caci and Wayne Bishop.

The chaplains are available to offer care to our public safety family to help them fulfill their sworn duties. The fire and ems service is a demanding job that puts our personnel at risk. The chaplains understand the levels of that risk and attempt to help manage the impact with our people.

The chaplains are also able to assist by providing on scene help/resources for those being impacted by a critical incident (i.g., fires, accidents, disasters, mass casualties, attempted or completed suicide, etc.). 

Our Departments mission statement is “Providing the Exceptional Service You Deserve”. The service of the chaplains is a part of the teamwork that fulfills that mission.

Assisting on Scene:  The chaplain can be helpful in dealing with accident and fire victims, families, unhelpful or hysterical people,  freeing up firefighters to focus on emergency operations. The Chaplain also monitors firefighters for how the scene may be impacting them, and is available to firefighters once the scene is cleared. The chaplain can be called by the Incident Commander or an officer to respond to a scene.

Ceremonies: The chaplain is available to conduct/assist in graduation ceremonies, weddings, funerals, celebration of life, and provide invocations at departmental events. The chaplain is able to provide sacraments and services in the hospital or at home for department personnel and retired firefighters and their families.

Counseling: The chaplain can provide crisis counseling, grief counseling, and all aspects of critical incident stress management to firefighters, officers and their families. 

Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM): The chaplain is one of the department’s CISM resources for either providing or arranging for a CISM team to provide CISM Services. In addition, the Chief or designee can also request a team 24/7. Individual firefighters can request on their own behalf to speak with a firefighter team member for support. 

Fatalities: When there is a fatality, civilian or responder, the chaplain is available to respond immediately. The spiritual life of the deceased needs to be respected. In this very diverse world, that could mean several things and the Chaplain is available to provide guidance.  

Spiritual Guidance: The chaplain is available to provide spiritual guidance to all personnel and be a liaison with area ministries. All faith traditions and belief systems are respected.

Suicide Intervention: The chaplain is trained and experienced in suicide intervention and prevention. Support for individuals and/or their families is available for suicide attempts or if the suicide is completed.