EMS Chaplains
While we want every responder to return home safely after a shift, we know we work in a danerous profession and it can be unpredictable. In the event of a sudden death, a seriously injured responder, or a line-of-duty death, an EMS chaplain provides counseling to responders and other department members.
EMS providers often help people on the worst day of their lives. In the same way, EMS chaplains offer a vital service to EMS departments through the worst of times. We have a lead chaplain, with assistants in the districts. All volunteer certified chaplains.
The main purpose of an EMS Chaplain is to help EMS providers and other department members in the event of an injured or killed responder. We attempt to have a chaplain in each district, so they are local and can provide help rapidly. They’re also available to personnel for grief counseling. They lend an ear for those who need to talk about something that is bothering them, such as physical or emotional stress. An EMS chaplain’s goal is to aid, comfort and help responders and their families in a nondenominational manner, we work with the family and their local church.
Scope of Services
The EMS chaplain provides a broad and diverse range of services including:
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Offering care and support to staff regarding critical incidents, stress management, loss/grief.
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Assessing and determining a plan of care that’s appropriate to the situation.
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Participating in interdisciplinary teamwork and collaboration;
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Offering rituals and prayer when requested.
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Helping interpret and broker cultures and faith traditions that impact healthcare practice and decisions.
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Educating and consulting with staff and the broader community.
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Building relationships with local faith communities and their leaders on behalf of the organization.
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Providing leadership within the organization and within the broader field of chaplaincy.
