Central Florida Psychological Consultants has developed programs designed to assist organizations who wish to maximize employee commitment to the change process. Conducted by experienced trainers and facilitators, our staff can work with all levels of your organization, from executive level to front line staff, providing the tools to help participants not only embrace organizational change, but to master it as well.

If you would like to find out more about our 360º Assessment Services,
please contact: Dr. Saunders

The Role of Psychological Screenings
in the Selection of Police Officers, Firefighters, and other public safety personnel

Psychological examinations contribute to the identification of emotionally stable candidates for public safety work. The liability implications of choosing the wrong person are enormous. These occupations require the ability to withstand pressure, make rapid decisions, and handle emotionally charged situations effectively.

Psychological screenings than include an interview and a test battery can often identify individuals who might not have the personal qualities necessary for public safety work. Departments know that it is crucial to screen applicants before hired and before money is invested in their training.  Public Safety requires the absence of serious psychological problems and the capacity to tolerate stress and pressure.
 

What is a Critical Incident
A Critical Incident or a Traumatic Event is defined as :
an event outside the range of usual human experience which has the potential to easily overcome a person's normal ability to cope with stress. It may produce a negative psychological response in a person who was involved in or witnessed such an incident.
Critical Incidents in a workplace environment include but are not limited to :

Aggravated Assaults
Robbery
Suicide or attempted suicide
Murder
Sudden or unexpected death of a work colleague
Hostage or siege situations
Discharge of firearms
Vehicle accidents involving injury and/or substantial property damage
Acts of self harm by persons in the care of others
Industrial accidents involving serious injury or fatality
Any other serious accidents or incidents

Emotional Reactions to a Critical Incident
It is very common, in fact quite normal, for people to experience emotional or stress reaction after a critical incident. Sometimes the emotional reactions occur shortly after a critical incident and sometimes they are delayed for some time. The severity of the reactions and the time frame over which they occur varies from person to person.
Sometimes the stress reactions last for a few days and then subside. Sometimes the reactions continue for a few weeks or a few months before they start to subside depending upon the severity of the critical incident and the frequency of critical incidents in people's lives.

With understanding and support from loved ones or close friends the stress reactions usually pass more quickly. When severe stress reactions persist, professional assistance from a Counselor is beneficial in assisting the person manage the condition.

Some very common signs and symptoms of a stress reaction in a traumatized person are :

Physical, Thinking, Behavioral, Emotional Outbursts,
Nausea, Slowed thinking, Substance abuse, Anxiety,
Upset stomach, Difficulty making decisions, Excessive checking & securing, Fear,
Tremors (lips, hands) Difficulty problem solving Angry outbursts Guilt,
Feeling, uncoordinated Confusion, Crying spells Grief,
Profuse sweating, Disorientation, Social withdrawal, Depression,
Chills, Difficulty calculating, Suspiciousness, Sadness,
Diarrhea, Difficulty concentrating, Increased or decreased food intake, Feeling abandoned,
Dizziness, Memory problems, marked changes in behavior, & Worry about others
Chest pains ( should be checked by a medical doctor), and
Difficulty naming common objects, Wanting to limit contact with others,
Rapid heart beat, Seeing event over & over, Wanting to hide,
Increased blood pressure, Distressing dreams, Anger,
Headaches, Poor attention span, Irritability,
Muscle aches, Feeling numb, Sleep Disturbances, Startled, Shocked

Adjusting To The Experience
The human mind and body usually has good self healing mechanisms which help people get through these emotional reactions. These processes can be significantly assisted by the emotional affected person engaging in the following :
Acceptance

Recognizing their own reactions and acknowledge that they have been through a highly stressful experience.
Excessive denial or lack of acceptance of their feelings may delay the recovery process.

Support : Seeking out other people's physical and emotional support.
Talking about their feelings to loved ones and close friends who will understand what they are going through.
Sharing with others who have had similar experiences
Going Over The Events

Allowing the memories of the critical incident to come into their minds as there is a need to think about it and to talk about it.  Facing the reality bit by bit, rather than avoiding reminders of it, helps them to come to terms with what has happened

Expressing Feelings: Expressing feelings rather than bottling them up. Talking about experiences and feelings are natural healing methods for these types of events.
Taking Care of Self

During periods of stress, people are more prone to accidents and physical illness. It is important that they look after themselves during this period by :

Driving more carefully
Having sufficient sleep
Maintaining a good diet
Having adequate rest

The Positive Effects
After traumatic experiences people frequently become wiser and emotional stronger. They are better able to cope with the everyday stresses of life. It is frequently a turning point where they re-evaluate the meaning and the value of life and appreciate the little things that often they had overlooked

What is a CISD
Two services are available - Defusing and Debriefing.

Critical Incident Defusing
On some occasions following a critical incident, some employees may experience severe emotional stress as a result of that incident such that they require urgent assistance. In such cases it is not appropriate to wait for the Critical Incident Stress Debriefing service to be provided.
Critical Incident Defusing is individual therapy offered by professional Psychological Debriefers on site to employees who are experiencing these severe forms of stress as soon as possible after the incident.

The Defusing service should be followed by a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing service at an appropriate time.
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing

Critical Incident Stress Debriefing is a group activity offered by professional Psychological Debriefers involving all employees who were directly involved in or who witnessed a critical incident. Management and other personnel not directly involved with the incident should not be involved in the Debrief activities.

The Critical Incident Stress Debriefing is preferably carried out after all post incident services and enquiries have been completed ( i.e. police reports, medical attention, internal investigation etc). The Debriefing, to be effective, should be completed within 72 hours of the critical incident.

The Purpose of CISDs
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing services should be offered to all employees who were involved or who witnessed a critical incident. The Debrief is provided for the following purposes

To provide professionally guided review of impact of the incident on the person's life

To enable ventilation of emotions

To provide reassurance and support

To educate about trauma reactions

To advise on symptom management

To minimize the potential for the development of psychological problems

To assist the person return to normal levels of functioning

To identify individuals who may need additional counseling

The CISD Process
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing is a group process for all individuals who were involved in or who witnessed the critical incident. The Debrief service is based on the Mitchell model and consists of the following processes :

The Fact Phase

Elicits the facts - the What Where When and Who - from the Group

The Thought Phase

Leads the discussion into the personal perspectives of the incident and prepares for the next phase

The Reaction Phase

Brings the individual feelings resulting from the incident up to the surface as far as participants wish to do so

The Educational Phase

Brings the participants back to functional levels. Provides information on stress reactions occuring or likely to occur and practical ways of dealing with these reactions

Re-entry / Summary Phase

Summarizes the pertinent points which developed during the debrief and distribution of Information Booklets for self and family

Post Debriefing

Debriefed available for individual contact with any participants who may wish to discuss any issues privately.