CED Dispatcher Wellness & Stress Management Flashcards
6 cards from real CED practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
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What does the acronym CISD stand for in emergency services mental health?
Answer: Critical Incident Stress Debriefing
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) is a structured group intervention designed to mitigate the psychological impact of traumatic events on emergency personnel.
Who is typically qualified to LEAD a formal CISD session for emergency dispatch personnel?
Answer: A trained mental health professional, often supported by peer support specialists
Formal CISD requires a licensed mental health clinician trained in critical incident stress management, often co-facilitated by peer support team members who share the responders' occupational background.
What distinguishes a 'defusing' session from a full CISD debriefing?
Answer: A defusing is a short informal group session held within hours of the incident, while a full debriefing occurs 24–72 hours later
Defusing is a brief (20–45 minute) immediate group meeting held within 8 hours of an incident to stabilize personnel, while formal CISD is a more structured 2–3 hour process conducted days later.
Which type of incident most commonly triggers the activation of formal CISD in an emergency dispatch center?
Answer: Line-of-duty death, mass casualty event, or the death of a child caller
High-impact incidents involving the death of children, fellow first responders, or mass casualties are recognized thresholds for CISD activation because of their disproportionate psychological impact.
What is the 'Mitchell Model' as applied to Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)?
Answer: A structured multi-component CISM system developed by Dr. Jeffrey Mitchell that includes defusing, debriefing, and follow-up
Dr. Jeffrey Mitchell developed the comprehensive CISM model in the 1980s, which combines crisis education, defusing, formal CISD, and follow-up care into a continuum of support for emergency personnel.
How long after a critical incident should a formal CISD session typically be conducted?
Answer: 24 to 72 hours after the incident
The 24–72 hour window allows initial shock to subside while memories are still vivid enough for processing, making the debriefing most therapeutically effective.