What is CIS?
People who respond to emergencies often must deal with traumatic or very stressful events; such as the death of a child, the loss of a fellow firefighter or multiple casualties. Sometimes the event is so overwhelming that normal methods of coping do not work. When this happens those involved in managing the crisis may experience strong or unusual physical and emotional reactions.
Stress reactions may appear immediatly (at the scene), a few hours later, or even a few days later. Critical Incident Stress reactions can affect the way a person thinks, feels or behaves. Such reactions can be worrisome, but they are normal reponses to an abnormal event.