Debriefing practices in critical incident stress management for first responders

¶ … Stress Management

What does the literature suggest is the appropriate application of debriefing?

In principle, debriefing within critical incident stress management (CISM) is an appropriate method of monitoring first responders and others who are exposed to stressful environments within their vocational responsibilities to identify possible negative effects on those individuals before they manifest themselves in harmful ways (Heglund, 2009). It is useful in connection with mitigating the potential negative consequences to the individual and to the ability of the individual to maintain optimal vocational performance as a function of the stresses associated with exposure to stressful environments and circumstances on the job. Ideally, debriefing should be conducted shortly after the exposure to the stressor but not necessarily immediately afterwards before the individual has had a chance to go through the immediate post-event processing on a personal level (Haddow, Bullock, & Coppola, 2008).

Where is the use of debriefing contraindicated?

Debriefing would be contraindicated anytime there is evidence that the individual is not receptive or not yet capable of benefiting from the debriefing process; similarly, debriefing would be contraindicated where the individual is not inclined to communicating with specific members of the debriefing team (Haddow, Bullock, & Coppola, 2008; Young & Brumley, 2009). If the individual is subjected to debriefing against his preference, before he is psychologically ready to participate in the process, or by debriefing team members with whom the individual cannot readily relate, the consequences can be exacerbation rather than mitigation of the potential harms caused by the initial stressor (Haddow, Bullock, & Coppola, 2008).

Conclude with your recommendations on how to proceed.

In general, emergency management teams should include specific teams with advanced or specialized training in recognizing the signs of stress in emergency management response personnel (Haddow, Bullock, & Coppola, 2008; Young & Brumley, 2009). All members of the emergency management team should be aware, in advance, of the debriefing process that is associated with critical incident exposure. Part of that preparation should include an explicit recognition of the fact that different people respond to stress differently and may require a different timetable with respect to post-incident stress management, including debriefing. Ideally, members of the emergency management team should be aware of the opportunity to participate in debriefing and of the fact that their wishes will be respected in so far as when it occurs and by whom.