Illinois Critical incident stress management (CISM) Teams
Illinois is home to several independently managed Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) teams who are comprised of individuals trained through the International Crticial Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) crisis response curriculums. Each team operates independently yet are in communication with one another to assist with critical incident response support services. Locate your regional CISM team and contact information below and review the Q&A document linked to assist in outreach and navigation of requesting a response team to aid your members.
Types of Critical Incident responses
Cognitive, physical, emotional, behavioral, and/or spiritual reactions can all be factors for individuals experiencing critical incident stress as a result of experiencing psychologically disturbing events. Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) is an overarching term used to describe the comprehensive, integrated, systematic, and multi-tactic crisis intervention approach to managing critical incident stress after traumatic events. Response during and after these experiences can be difficult to navigate, but knowing how to identify causes of stress, what it looks like, and how to respond, can help you better address the need when it comes.
Understanding what your agency needs, what options are available, and how to set up services that will meet your members where they are at is important. When reaching out for support, consider these modalities of response and talk to the critical incident response team coordinator to find the best match for you. Modes of group interventions that CISM Teams are able to discuss include:
Rest, Information, and Transition Services (RITS): Formerly known as demobilization, this quick informational and rest session is offered when operational units have been released from service after a major or prolonged incident. This may also serve as a screening opportunity to assure that individuals who may need further assistance are identified.
Crisis Management Briefing (CMB): A structured large or small group meeting intended to provide information about an event. This provides an opportunity to identify and control rumors and educate about symptoms or distress and stress management techniques.
Defusing: A small group approach provided shortly after a traumatic event and/or before a group leaves the workplace. This offers opportunity to begin exploration of individual reactions to an event and is an opportunity to provide immediate information on healthy coping.
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD): A step by step group crisis intervention approach to assist a group after exposure to a significant traumatic event. This is not a stand-alone process and should be provided within a series of interventions. This is not psychotherapy nor is it a substitute for counseling services.
Above definitions are derived from the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation
Illinois Critical Incident Stress Managment (CISM) Teams
Illinois has many Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Teams. The following is known contact information for each of the teams. The International Critical incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) also has a directory of CISM teams that may include new or updated details as well.
Each critical incident response team may offer different types of services and/or serve different members members of the first responder community. Ask questions and have a conversation with the team representative to ensure clear communication about the needs of your agency and how the team will provide support.
Northern Illinois CISM (NI-CISM): 800-225-2473, https://www.ni-cism.org/
- Counties Covered: Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, & Will
- Provides critical incident response support, line of duty death assistance, and training
- Contact 800-225-2473 or admin@ni-cism.org
- NI-CISM brochure
BlackHawk CISM: 815-748-8400
Quad Cities CISM: 563-323-1000
Heart of Illinois CISM: 309-369-2911
Central IL Overwatch CISM: 309-838-9297
- Counties Covered: Champaign, Ford, Iroquois, Livingston, Mason, McLean, Tazewell, Vermillion, & Woodford
- Provides individual interventions, Defusing, Debriefing, & Peer Support
- Inquiry point of contact: Tim Power at 309-838-9297 or tpower@cityblm.org
Sangamon Valley CISM: 217-788-8311, https://sangamonvalleycism.com/
Decatur Area CISM: 217-875-8429
- Counties Covered: Champaign, Christian, Clark, Clay, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Jasper, Lawrence, Piatt, Richland, Macon, Moultrie, & Shelby
- Provides Defusings, Debriefings, & Peer Support
- Contact 217-875-8429 or decaturcrisisteam@gmail.com
Southwest Illinois CISM:618-607-2476
Southern Illinois CISM: 618-937-3521
For general CISM Team feedback or updates, please contact Danielle Brengel at dbrengel@100clubil.org.
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