Training, Supervised Experience and Certification
Carefully selected and approved crisis intervention training provides insight into "why" we do what we do and the importance of the "how." CISM training gives background and presents underlying research and rationale. Much like standardized fire and aviation training, CISM training is a critical aspect of ensuring consistency and confidence in peer supporters to operate effectively and seamlessly throughout the wildland fire community. Training is not a one-time occurrence. Initial training should focus on communication, active listening, and problem assessment skills development. Continuing training is necessary to enhance problem-solving skills, provide a venue for group sharing of lessons learned, refresh CISM personnel on their skills, and introduce new concepts. The development of specific training needs in association with the defined roles of each Critical Incident Peer Support Group member, Peer Support Group Leader, and CISM Coordinator is an essential element of the training program.
Training and Our Standard of Care
he International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) offers a highly specialized training curriculum most beneficial for organizations with cultures having a history of mistrust of outside sources for crisis intervention. ICISF training courses are the most recognized by the wildland fire community. ICISF training and use of Peer Supporters has been adopted by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs as the official established Standard of Care. The BLM and BIA also have stringent requirements for certification and experience and formal ethics, conduct, and confidentiality policies.
Peer Supporters are not a replacement for Mental Health Professionals. Not following established protocols would put them outside their scope and boundaries of competence. Trained peer supporters provide short-term, supervised, incident-specific, and strategic crisis intervention services.

Upcoming CISM Training Courses
New 2022-2023 Classes Are Now Posted!

CCISM Certification
The CCISM program, is the world’s first university-based certification in the field of Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) and psychological crisis intervention.
The goal of the certification is to foster enhanced knowledge about crisis intervention and disaster response from the CISM perspective. In doing so it is hoped that research and practice shall be fostered as well. Certification is a certification of KNOWLEDGE, not practice per se, relevant to CISM and crisis intervention and disaster response. However, we believe that better practice is based upon increased knowledge.
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