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.