CISM FOR FACILITY MANAGERS

After a critical incident at your facility, there is always a scramble to get all the parts of the accident package complete in a timely manner.

Unfortunately, it may not be wise for those controllers directly involved to continue working too soon after a critical incident has occurred. Although this can create hardship, the reasoning for this is based on sound medical evidence.

Critical incidents by their very nature impede a person's ability to function. Sometimes the setback is mild and other times a person may actually become disabled by the event. Both reactions are normal as there is no one reaction that fits all. Since this is a safety-related job, getting people involved with the support available from the NATCA CISM Team is very important to help facilitate recovery.

Soon after an incident, you should receive a call from the FAA EAP Manager for your area. He or she will discuss the severity of the event with you and your opinion of the situation. Meanwhile, the NATCA On-Call Coordinator from the Critical Incident Team will be in touch with the NATCA Rep and do the same thing. Henceforth, the EAP Manager and the On-Call Coordinator will discuss the event and try to best meet your needs for your particular situation.

If a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) needs to be arranged, it is important for you and your NATCA Rep to work together to make sure those employees directly involved are available for a debriefing while ensuring the operation is properly staffed.

Article 74 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement covers the CISM Program. Note that the educational briefing that is provided is mandatory for involved employees.

A CISD is technically voluntary but is generally agreed upon ahead of time by those that will participate. It is the CISD intervention that participants find most helpful.

The CISM Program is not an arm of Aviation Medicine and does not get involved with a controller's fitness for duty nor is it an operational critique. All aspects of the CISM Program are strictly confidential in order to respect and protect everyone's privacy.

Questions about the CISM Program may be directed to an On-Call Coordinator at 800-266-0895 ext. 24911 or to Frank Pirhalla, National EAP Manager in Washington, DC at 202-267-9651 or the EAP Manager for your area.