Critical Incident Stress Management Peer Support

The mission of the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Peer Support Program is to provide education, support, and assistance to government employees for incidental or cumulative critical incident stress experienced in the performance of their jobs and/or in the event of other emergencies, natural disasters, or other traumatic events.

Interventions provided by Critical Incident Peer Support Groups (CIPS) and Mental Health Providers (MHP) follow the protocols of the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF).

The Forest Service Casualty Assistance Program has direct responsibility for CISM, however, this truly requires an interagency effort. Each region and station have CISM coordinators (link: CISM Coordinator spreadsheet) who provide support to units and employees following a traumatic incident. Each region and station also has a list of trained peer supporters and trauma-trained clinicians. The national CISM framework under the Casualty Assistance Program promotes a consistent response across the Forest Service and in cooperation with interagency partners.