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ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER Effective Date: April 28, 2016  Amends - G.O. 17.1.1 (February 6, 2009) Number: 17.1.1 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: August Reviewing Authority: HRD / CISM Subject: Critical Incident Stress Management Team ( CISM) This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Policy 3. Definitions 4. Procedures 1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to establish a CISM Team to assist agency members and the community, where appropriate, in co ping with stress related to traumatic events. 2. Policy It shall be the policy of this agency to provide personnel with needed emotional and psychological support related to his/her involvement in a critical incident and provide assistance , to agency pers onnel and their family members, where appropriate. This shall be accomplished through defusings , debriefings, one -on-one peer support , critical incident stress education, and mental health follow -up. 3. Definitions A. Critical Incident - any event or incide nt that has the potential to cause a strong emotional response or reaction. B. Debriefing - specially structured confidential group meetings between the first responders ( persons directly involved with the critical incident ) and CISM Team members , and a lice nsed mental health professional. Formal debriefings are generally within 72 hours of an incident . C. Defusing - an individual or group process of all persons affected by an incident. The defusing is held shortly after the incident. The session is conducte d by a CISM Team member and support personnel in a positive, supportive, and caring atmosphere. D. Mental Health Debriefer - a licensed mental health profession al who is a member of the CISM Team . E. Peer Debriefer Team Member – employees specially trained in CISM techniques , in accordance with the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) guidelines . 17.1.1, Page 2 of 3 F. Team Staff – consists of the Team Commander and Team Leaders. 4. Procedures A. Structure and Authority The CISM Team is a function of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. The Team is managed by the Team Commander or designee . The Team Commander or designee will liaison with the Sheriff and Staff. All CISM Team Leaders and members will be trained in principles of critical incident stress manageme nt. Mental Health personnel will support the Team to accomplish its purpose and assist with training and education. B. Formal Debriefing 1. A formal debriefing shall be conducted in duty -related deaths, serious injury of a co -worker, mass casualty cases, or other incidents that the CISM Team Commander or designee deem appropriate. Team members shall interview supervisors to determine the first responders and the affected personnel. All first responders, and those directly affected shall attend the debriefin g, unless officially excused by the CISM Team Commander or designee. 2. Formal debriefings are generally within 72 hours after the incident. The formal debriefing shall be conducted with a licensed mental health professional and team members selected by th e Team Commander, or the Team Leader. 3. Only personnel directly involved in the incident shall be permitted in the debriefing. Note taking, recorders, or video equipment shall not be permitted. 4. All agency personnel who are first responders or who have bee n determined to be directly affected shall attend a debriefing as deemed necessary by his or her immediate supervisor. 5. Personnel involved in the formal debriefings should be attentive during debriefing sessions and refrain from listening to or using polic e radios, pagers, and telephones. 6. The formal debriefing session is not a critique of the incident. It is designed to support the personnel involved. C. Confidentiality It shall be the responsibility and duty for all CISM Team members to keep information communicated to them confidential. Topics discussed and the name s of personnel involved in debriefings, defusings or one on one interventions shall be maintained in the strictest confidence. 1. The CISM Team provides emotional support for agency members invo lved in critical incidents. Team members shall not utilize any part of CISM duties to market a personal or non CISM related agenda. 2. All CISM Team intervention in any incident shall not affix responsibility or 17.1.1, Page 3 of 3 blame upon any agency member and shall refr ain from any discussion involving responsibility or blame. 3. The CISM Commander or designee shall keep records of all formal debriefings using the CISM After Action Summary . The form is maintained for statistical data only. 4. Follow -up may be recommended b ased on observations during a debriefing, defusing or one -on-one peer support, CISM Team members shall inform the CISM Team Commander or Team Leader if follow -up is recommended . 5. Confidentiality provisions apply to defusing, debriefings and one-on-one sessi ons conducted by licensed mental health professionals pursuant to applicable law. 6. Team members shall not discuss information secured in any defusing, debriefing, or one -on-one peer support session except as required by agency policy (GO 5.1.3 (