International Critical Incident Stress Foundation

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International Critical Incident Stress Foundation

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The International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc. To learn more, visit our website at www.icisf.org.

ICISF provides support and information about disaster behavioral health to the emergency response professions, other organizations, and communities throughout the world. (ICISF) is a not for profit, 501(c)3 organization and our mission is to be the leader in providing education, training, consultation, and support services in comprehensive crisis intervention and disaster behavioral health services to emergency responders, and other professions, organizations and communities worldwide. Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) is a method of helping first responders and others who have been involved in critical incidents that leave them emotionally and/or physically affected by those incidents. CISM is a process that enables peers to help their peers understand problems that might occur after a crises. This process also helps individuals prepare to continue to perform their services or in some cases return to a normal lifestyle. ICISF provides CISM education, training and resources for individuals interested in becoming part of a crisis management team, or for an organization/profession that is dedicated to helping individuals or groups recover from a crises.

11/04/2026

Pause. ⏸️ Breathe. 🗣️ Check in. 👥

On National Stress Awareness Day, remember that recognizing stress is not a sign of weakness. It’s an act of self-awareness and an important part of building resilience.

If you spend your days helping others through their hardest moments, make space to check in with yourself and the people beside you.

💙 Support the helpers. Check on your team. Check on yourself. Explore ICISF resources: www.icisf.org

11/03/2026

Strong leaders build stronger, healthier teams.

Join first responders and public-safety leaders on November 19 for the First Responder Leadership & Wellness Summit in Mount Airy, Maryland.

This one-day event brings together real stories, practical tools, and honest conversations around leadership, resilience, behavioral health, organizational culture, peer support, and personal wellness. Attendees will also experience a special screening of PTSD911, followed by a panel discussion focused on trauma, recovery, leadership, and available resources.

Whether you serve on the front lines, lead a team, support your peers, or help responders navigate the impact of the work, this is an opportunity to connect, learn, and bring actionable strategies back to your organization.

📅 November 19, 2026 | 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
📍 Damascus Road Community Church | Mount Airy, MD

Take care of those who take care of everyone else.

👉 Learn More & Reserve Your Seat: https://firstresponderwellness.co/frederick/

11/02/2026

🚨 ICISF is in Cleveland!

Rick Barton and Millie are representing ICISF at the First Responder Mental Health & Wellness Conference today and tomorrow, connecting with first responders and professionals committed to building stronger, healthier organizations.

👋 If you’re attending, stop by the ICISF exhibit and say hello!

🎤 Tomorrow, don’t miss Rick Barton’s presentation:
Creating an Agency Culture of Support and Employee Wellness

Rick will share practical strategies for strengthening organizational wellness through effective leadership, peer support, and proactive wellness initiatives, including the TASTE leadership model and approaches for creating a culture where seeking support is encouraged, accepted, and sustained.

Together, we can help create cultures where those who serve others know they don’t have to carry the weight alone. 💙 Helping Save the Helpers

🔗 Learn more about the Cleveland conference: https://www.1strc.org/event-details/cleveland-oh-first-responder-mental-health-wellness-conference-3

11/01/2026

💙 People don’t experience crisis in pieces. They experience it as whole human beings.
In the aftermath of trauma, individuals may struggle emotionally, physically, cognitively, socially, and spiritually.

Whether you're supporting a first responder after a critical incident, helping a grieving family, or assisting someone through a personal crisis, these specialized ICISF courses can strengthen your ability to provide compassionate, effective care.

📘 Assisting Individuals in Crisis & Group Crisis Intervention | December 2-4, 2026
📘 Pastoral Crisis Intervention: Psychological and Faith-Based Crisis Intervention | December 10-11, 2026

Because effective crisis intervention isn't just about responding to the crisis. It's about caring for the person behind it. 🔗 https://icisf.org/virtual-training/

10/31/2026

💙 Supporting responders means supporting their families.

This month, the ICISF Speakers Bureau is featuring Anne Balboni and her course, Stress and the Responder's Family: CISM Skills for Family Crisis Intervention. The program helps organizations better understand responder family stressors, strengthen communication, and build resilience before, during, and after crisis events.

When we support responder families, we strengthen the foundation of responder wellness. Contact Millie at [email protected] for more details and to request this course.

10/31/2026

Growing up comes with challenges, but today’s kids are being exposed to realities we wish they never had to face...

From bullying and social pressure to violence in schools and communities, helping children build resilience gives them tools to understand difficult experiences, manage stress, and feel supported through adversity.

📖 The Resilient Child by Dr. George Everly Jr offers practical guidance for helping young people build those essential skills.

Find your copy at cismbookstore.com��

10/30/2026

You're committed to helping others. Invest in the resources that help you do it even better.

An ICISF Individual Membership connects you to a global community of crisis intervention, peer support, and resilience professionals dedicated to supporting people before, during, and after life's most challenging events.

Whether you're a first responder, peer supporter, clinician, chaplain, educator, healthcare professional, or crisis response practitioner, membership provides valuable opportunities to stay connected, continue learning, and strengthen your professional impact.

Don't just access information. Join a community dedicated to advancing crisis intervention worldwide.

✅ Expand your professional network
✅ Stay connected to industry insights and resources
✅ Support your ongoing professional development
✅ Be part of the global ICISF mission

Take the next step in your professional journey. Become an ICISF member today and strengthen your ability to support others when they need it most. 👉 Join now: https://icisf.org/sections/membership/

10/29/2026

CISM support is being activated across Bend, Oregon, following the deadly shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School. 💙

In the aftermath, local agencies and community partners are coordinating CISM support for students, families, educators, first responders, and community members impacted by the tragedy.

“It really helps us to normalize stress response. It helps us to provide safe space for processing the event, helps build resilience and coping mechanisms, and reduce isolation,” said Deschutes County Health Services Director Holly Harris.

Making CISM support accessible across the community provides space to process what happened, understand stress reactions, and connect with additional resources.�

Our thoughts remain with the children, families, school staff, first responders, and entire Bend community.��

[PC: Oregon Journalism Project, 2026]

10/28/2026

🚔 We’re proud to be exhibiting at the 2026 C.O.P.S. National Conference on Law Enforcement Wellness & Trauma!

Hosted by Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), this premier event brings together law enforcement professionals, peer supporters, chaplains, mental health professionals, dispatchers, and wellness advocates for critical conversations on trauma, resilience, peer support, and officer wellness. The conference takes place November 5-8, 2026, in San Diego, California and focuses on supporting those who serve through education, connection, and practical wellness strategies.

If you'll be attending, be sure to stop by the ICISF exhibit booth #103 to learn more about our crisis intervention training programs, resources, memberships, and tools designed to support first responders, public safety professionals, and peer support teams.

We look forward to connecting with dedicated professionals who are committed to strengthening wellness, resilience, and support within the law enforcement community.
📍 November 5-8, 2026
📍 San Diego, CA

🔗 Learn more: https://www.concernsofpolicesurvivors.org/surviving-to-thriving-conference

10/28/2026

Some people run from the hard days. You clock in for them.

The calls no one wants to receive.
The scenes no one expects to see.
The moments when someone needs help, right now.

For first responders, these moments are part of the job, but the person answering the call is always more than the uniform, title, or badge.

On National First Responders Day, we recognize the people behind the response and everything you bring to the communities you serve.💙

Address

3290 Pine Orchard Lane, Ste 106
Ellicott City, MD
21042

Website

http://www.icisf.org/, https://mailchi.mp/icisf.org/email-sign-up

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