C:\Users\dirlingj\Desktop\Safety Committee\Chaplain\Chaplain Job Description combined.docx

Fire Chaplain/Rehab Officer

Job Title / Fire Chaplain/Rehab Officer / Pay Grade / Volunteer
District / North River Fire District / SalaryRange / (N/A) / Hourly (N/A)
Division / Operations / Designation / pending
Reports to / IC or Safety Officer / Revision / July, 2015
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The workplace Fire Chaplain is a key role in providing crisis counseling and ministry to emergency service workers in a non-threatening group and/or individual setting. The Fire Chaplin may also be asked to provide practical community support counseling to victims and families during or after emergency situations. As a dual role provider, the Fire Chaplain may also be asked to fulfill the role as Rehabilitation Officer (see rehabilitation officer job description). Providing water and snacks in the cold zone of an incident to decontaminated emergency responders and directing victims/families to appropriate community agencies. Residing in the fire district is a logistical requirement.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
The Fire Chaplain is a visible and available part of the organization. In order to build ‘trust’ with the organizational employees the Fire Chaplain must divide his/hertheirvolunteer time into three phases; before, during, and after incidents.
  • Before the call is the time to develop relationships with fire rescue personnel and families
  • Greet new firefighters/families, and hand deliver a copy of the “I Love a Firefighter” book
  • Stop by the fire stations and provide “time and attention” for on-duty personnel to discuss grief counseling, pre-crisis stress management, and burn-out over refreshments/desert, etc.
  • After hours, be accessible for fire personnel and families to provide marital and pre-marital counseling and help identify job-related areas of concern
  • Offer classes and seminars on signs and signals of critical incident stress reactions
  • Have an adequate supply ofwater, sports drinks, and snacks
  • Maintain confidentiality and build trust with personnel
  • During the call is a critical time for both fire rescue and the people we serve
  • Provide a calm and peaceful presence in the midst of a crisis
  • Establish a rehab/snack post (designated by the IC or Safety Officer) in the cold zone to provide water, sports drinks, and snacks to emergency personnel
  • Refer fire rescue to decontamination area (if needed) prior to issuing water or food
  • Care for victims by consoling, assist with making phone calls to family members, insurance agency, etc.
  • Refer victims to the appropriate community support agencies (e.g., Red Cross, etc.)
  • Refer victims to the appropriate clergy (e.g., Catholic Priest, Jew, Muslim, etc.)
  • Inform the IC or Safety Officer if a member requires physical or psychological treatment
  • Don the rehabilitation manager vest
  • Whenever possible, select a location for rehabilitation with the following site characteristics
  • Large enough to accommodate the number of personnel expected (to include EMS personnel for medical monitoring
  • Have a separate area for members to remove personal protective equipment
  • Be accessible for an ambulance and EMS personnel should emergency medical care be required
  • Be removed from hazardous atmospheres including apparatus exhaust fumes, smoke and other toxins
  • Provide shade in summer and protection from inclement weather at other times
  • Have access to a water supply (bottled or running) to provide hydration and active cooling
  • Be away from spectators and media
  • Ensure personnel in rehabilitation “dress down” by removing their bunker coats, helmets, hoods, and bunker pants to promote cooling
  • Provide the required resources for rehabilitation including the following
  • Potable drinking water for hydration
  • Sports drinks (to replace electrolytes and calories) for long duration incidents (working more than one hour)
  • Active cooling where required
  • Medical monitoring equipment (chairs to rest on, blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, check sheets, etc.)
  • Food where required and a means to wash or clean hands and face prior to eating
  • Blankets and warm, dry clothing for winter months
  • Washroom facilities where required
  • Time personnel in rehabilitation to ensure they receive at least 10 minutes to 20 minutes of rest
  • Ensure personnel rehydrate themselves
  • Ensure personnel are provided with a means to be actively cooled where required
  • Maintain accountability and remain with rehabilitation at all times
  • Document members entering or leaving rehabilitation
  • Inform the Incident Commander, accountability officer, and EMS personnel if a member requires transportation to and treatment at a medical facility
  • Serve as a liaison with EMS personnel
  • After the call
  • Assist with critical incident stress management ‘CISM’
  • Visit injured or sick personnel
  • Listen to the concerns of fire personnel and their families
  • Provide spiritual needs by invitation

JOB STANDARDS:

Education

/ Critical Incident Stress Management ‘CISM’
40-HR. Fire Chaplain Course, Rehabilitation courses ‘REHAB’
Knowledge of NRFD SOP Ops #27, MCROG #43, and NFPA 1584 Standard on the Rehabilitation Process for Members During Emergency Operations and Training Exercises

Experience

/ Principles and practices of psychological crisis intervention

Skills

Licenses, Certifications / Ordained Minister. Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License and be insurable by current insurance carrier.
EQUIPMENT USED
Equipment consistent with Essential Job functions
CRITICAL EXPERTISE TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Crisis trained Fire Chaplain skills encompass the following:
  • Must be able to work well in stressful situations.
  • Ability to work within the budget that has been allocated for the fiscal year.
  • Ability to read and comprehend checklists, SOP’s, laws, regulations, and other rules.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective, confidential working relationships with employees and the public.
  • Ability to assess physical & environmental needs with emergency personnel, and the public, using speaking, hearing, visual, and body language skills.
  • Ability to assess the mental & behavioral status of emergency responders and make recommendations as necessary (e.g., ability to drive, etc.).
  • Ability to communicate with the public, co-workers and professional consultants using speaking, hearing and visual skills.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL SKILLS
Acceptable eyesight (with or without correction), acceptable hearing (with or without hearing aid), ability to lift rehabilitation supplies (water, etc) in and out of vehicles
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Emergency scenes, training grounds, fire stations, and community events

Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability.

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Signature Date