Emergency Chaplains

Purpose Statement

The purpose of Emergency Chaplains is to:

1. Provide pastoral care and counseling for employees and families of emergency service agencies


2. Provide pastoral care and short-term assistance for the general public whose lives have changed suddenly and forever due to a violent act or unexpected tragedy


3. Provide training and assistance to other counties and agencies in NC.

The primary purpose of Emergency Chaplains is to provide pastoral care and counseling for employees and families of emergency service agencies in Durham County, NC. This will include but is not limited to:

· Stress debriefing

· Job counseling, marriage and family counseling, addiction counseling

· Pre-Marital counseling, Perform weddings

· Officiate at funerals, bereavement counseling

· Offer spiritual guidance to those who desire it and to serve as a communication link between people in crisis and their own spiritual advisors.

· Get to know personnel, their families and their needs, providing an informal but professional support.

· Hospital visitation

In addition, Emergency Chaplains will also intervene in times of crisis for the general public of Durham County by providing on-the-scene pastoral care and crisis intervention in conjunction with local EMS, fire, law enforcement, and other emergency response agencies. This will be accomplished by doing the following:

· Respond as needed to the crisis scene.

· Minister to crisis victims and their families.

· Provide a communication channel between responders and crisis victims giving a positive public image.

· Follow the scene as it transitions to hospital or other locations, providing continuity for patients, victims and family members.

· Interface with other clergy, extended family, Red Cross, and other community support mechanisms to meet needs of victims.

· Provide stability for victims and personnel during crisis situations. Give direction for spiritual and emotional needs, both for victims and personnel.

The work of Emergency Chaplains will be accomplished by recruiting and training chaplains to serve on a volunteer basis. They will work in conjunction with agency chaplains that are already in place in order to provide support and resources and to give 24/7 coverage for crisis calls.

Emergency Chaplains will provide training and assistance for other counties in NC that desire to establish a similar chaplaincy program.

Resume

Rev. Ralph Edward Thompson

5116 Huxey Glenn Court

Durham, NC 27703-9293

Home Phone: 919.596.6345

OBJECTIVE
· To be obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ and to bring honor and glory to His name.

EXPERIENCE
· February 2008-present: Executive Director, Emergency Chaplains, PO Box 14762, Durham, NC 27709. Founded this ministry in order to provide chaplaincy to all public safety responder agencies in Durham County.
· June 1998-January 2008: Associate Pastor, Bethesda Baptist Church, 1914 S. Miami Blvd., Durham, NC 27703. Served as Discipleship Pastor initially and later as Pastor of Administration and Outreach. Ordained by church in 2001.
· 1995-1998: Agent, Farm Bureau Insurance, PO Box 15310, Durham, NC 27704

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
· April 2008-present: Chaplain, NC State Highway Patrol, District C-7, Durham/Granville, NC and Troop C Chaplaincy Coordinator, Raleigh, NC
· November 2006-present: Adjunct Clergy, Durham Regional Hospital, Durham, NC
· December 2005-present: Chaplain, Durham County EMS, 402 Stadium Drive, Durham, NC
· January 2002-present: Chaplain, Bethesda Fire and Rescue, 1724 S. Miami Blvd, Durham, NC

EDUCATION
· M.Min., Biblical Counseling, Master’s International School of Divinity, Evansville, IN
July 2007.
· B.A., Biblical Studies, Louisiana Baptist University, Shreveport, LA, May 2002.
· A.Div., Southeastern College at Wake Forest, Wake Forest, NC, May 2001.
· A.A.S., Business Management, Danville Community College, Danville, VA, June 1983

OTHER TRAINING
· Specialized Training Certificate in Spiritual Care in Crisis Intervention awarded by International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF)
· Traumas of Law Enforcement training by Concerns of Police Survivors(C.O.P.S.)
· Certified EMT-B by NC Office of Emergency Medical Services

AFFILIATIONS
· Member, American Association of Christian Counselors
· Member, International Association of Biblical Counselors
· Member, International Critical Incident Stress Foundation
· Member, Federation of Fire Chaplains
· Member, Bethesda Ruritan Club