International Critical Incident Stress Foundation

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International Critical Incident Stress Foundation

The International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc. To learn more, visit our website at www.icisf.org.
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ICISF provides support and information about disaster behavioral health to the emergency response professions, other organizations, and communities throughout the world. (ICISF) is a not for profit, 501(c)3 organization and our mission is to be the leader in providing education, training, consultation, and support services in comprehensive crisis intervention and disaster behavioral health services to emergency responders, and other professions, organizations and communities worldwide. Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) is a method of helping first responders and others who have been involved in critical incidents that leave them emotionally and/or physically affected by those incidents. CISM is a process that enables peers to help their peers understand problems that might occur after a crises. This process also helps individuals prepare to continue to perform their services or in some cases return to a normal lifestyle. ICISF provides CISM education, training and resources for individuals interested in becoming part of a crisis management team, or for an organization/profession that is dedicated to helping individuals or groups recover from a crises.

12/30/2025

You are the lifeline for others in their most challenging moments, but who takes care of you? Sustained crisis response can lead to burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma.

Prioritizing self-care is not selfish—it is foundational for professional effectiveness and personal well-being.

Strengthen your professional skills and enhance your capacity to serve by registering for these upcoming courses:
🗓️ Feb. 11, 2026: Su***de Awareness: An Introduction for Crisis Responders
🗓️ February 19-20, 2026: Advanced Assisting Individuals in Crisis

🔗 Learn More & Register: https://icisf.org/remote-learning/

12/29/2025

🔥 Something new is coming in 2026-2027... are you ready? 🔥

From the front lines to the control room, every crisis responder knows that resilience, best-practice skills, and powerful peer connection are vital for sustaining a career in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM).

At ICISF, we are changing and expanding our conference experience to ensure you have maximum support for your professional and personal well-being. Get ready for an exciting new chapter:

✨ NEW ICISF eConnect (Launching 2nd half of 2026): Elite 1-Day Virtual Conferences designed to deliver high-impact training and cutting-edge research directly to your location, maximizing your professional development without sacrificing critical time away from the field.

✨ ICISF Connect (Spring 2027): Our premier in-person experience, offering specialized learning tracks for Law Enforcement, CISM Teams, Mental Health, and focusing heavily on holistic Stress Resilience & Wellness.

Prepare to redefine your approach to crisis support and recharge your resilience. Keep an eye out for our "Save the Date," coming in early 2026!

Stay tuned for more details on our Conferences and Events page!

12/28/2025

Help us turn the page to 2026 with strength! 🕊️

2025 has been a landmark year for ICISF. We’ve seen firsthand how Peer Support changes lives, reduces burnout, and restores hope after traumatic events.

The Value of Your Support: Did you know that early intervention through CISM can significantly lower the risk of long-term psychological injury? Your donation ensures this life-saving education remains accessible to the responders who need it most.

As you plan your final 2025 contributions, please consider ICISF. Together, we are saving crisis responders.

🔗 Donate now: https://icisf.kindful.com/?campaign=332243

12/27/2025

What's the most critical tool in your mental health preparedness toolkit?

When facing the emotional demands of critical incidents, the ICISF is dedicated to building resilience and strengthening peer support capacity through proven Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) resources.

Knowledge empowers effective care. Equip yourself and your team with essential training materials, CISM manuals, and educational tools straight from the source.

➡️ Shop the official CISMbookstore today: https://www.cismbookstore.com/

12/26/2025

Crisis responders operate on the front lines, witnessing trauma and loss that can deeply impact their own emotional well-being. It's crucial to acknowledge and process the cumulative grief that often accompanies this demanding work.

Unprocessed grief can lead to burnout, compassion fatigue, relationship strain, and mental health challenges. Prioritizing education on crisis intervention and self-care is not just a benefit—it's a professional necessity for long-term resilience.

Invest in your mental health and professional toolkit with these essential remote courses:
- January 27-28, 2026: Advanced Group Crisis Intervention
- Feb. 11, 2026: Su***de Awareness: An Introduction for Crisis Responders

Don't wait to prioritize your well-being! Equip yourself with the knowledge to manage crisis-related stress and grief, both for yourself and those you serve.

🔗 Register for these virtual training today: https://icisf.org/remote-learning/

12/24/2025

The entire team at ICISF wishes everyone a restorative and Happy Holidays! 🎁

This time of year is uniquely demanding for our first responders, medical personnel, military, and disaster relief workers who continue to answer the call. Your dedication is immense, and your well-being is our highest priority.

We know that to care for others, you must first be cared for. That’s why the ICISF mission is so vital: we don't just train crisis responders; we train the life-saving peer support specialists who take care of the caretakers.

When critical incidents take their emotional toll, we ensure support is there, strengthening the resilience and emotional health of those who protect our communities.

We encourage all responders to take a moment for self-care and lean on your peer support networks this season. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

From all of us at ICISF, may your holidays be filled with peace and rest.

12/23/2025

The storm is not the enemy. Unprepared leadership is.🌪️

The Secrets of Resilient Leadership is a practical guide for leaders who want to transform adversity into growth. ��

This book breaks down the four core pillars of crisis leadership and shows how to shape a culture that adapts, recovers, and rises when failure is not an option.

Strengthen the way you lead - get your copy at www.cismbookstore.com

12/22/2025

When stress spikes, the brain looks for one thing: safety.

Psychological First Aid provides that foundation by helping responders reduce physiological arousal, reorient attention, and restore a sense of stability after traumatic events.

PFA is not therapy.

It is immediate psychological stabilization, built to keep small stresses from becoming long-term injuries.

Learn the core elements of PFA.
👉1/19-1/21: Assisting Individuals in Crisis & Group Crisis Intervention
👉2/2-2/4: Assisting Individuals in Crisis & Group Crisis Intervention

Save your spot for the upcoming training: icisf.org/remote-learning/

12/21/2025

In the face of relentless stress and trauma, resilience isn't just a buzzword—it's the foundation of effective crisis response and long-term well-being.

Resilience is the ability to adapt and recover from adversity. For those who assist others in their darkest moments, building this psychological strength is paramount. It helps you:

Maintain Peak Performance under extreme pressure.
- Prevent Burnout and Compassion Fatigue.
- Sustain a long and meaningful career in service.
- Investing in your resilience is investing in your ability to help others safely and effectively.

Strengthen your capacity to handle high-stress scenarios and support your own mental health with these critical trainings:
- Jan. 14, 2026: De-escalation Skills for the Frontline
- Feb. 11, 2026: Su***de Awareness: An Introduction for Crisis Responders
- February 19-20, 2026: Advanced Assisting Individuals in Crisis

👉 Ready to fortify your resilience and enhance your crisis intervention skills? 🔗 https://icisf.org/remote-learning/

***deAwareness

12/20/2025

📢 NEW RELEASE: ICISF Crisis Journal Vol. 7, Iss. 2

The latest issue of the ICISF Crisis Journal is now available, featuring critical research on resilience and crisis response across the globe.

Highlights from this issue:
- Community Preparedness: The EPRC program shows a significant 12.97-point increase in disaster readiness by focusing on "people-first" psychological training.
- Youth Mental Health: Research into homeless youth in Mumbai highlights the vital link between resilience and reduced psychological distress.
- Economic Buffers: A look at how Universal Basic Income (UBI) acts as "psychological first aid" to reduce chronic stress during systemic crises.
- Trauma-Informed Care: A call for community-driven mental health responses to combat childhood abuse and intergenerational trauma.

Bridging the gap between theory and frontline action, these articles offer essential insights for practitioners, researchers, and policy advocates.

📖 Read the full issue: https://www.crisisjournal.org/

12/19/2025

The holidays bring joy for many, �
but for responders they can also uncover grief that has been tucked away all year.📘 �

Duty, Honor, Hope shares the lived experiences of 21 first responders and offers a practical approach to understanding grief that often goes unmourned after critical incidents. ��

Dr. Hewett teaches how to recognize stacked grief, work through it with intention, and prevent it from overflowing into work or home life.�

Give yourself the tools to navigate holiday grief - get your copy at www.cismbookstore.com

12/18/2025

Crisis communication is intervention, not conversation.

ICISF’s virtual training teaches evidence-informed strategies to assess emotional states, respond without escalating, communicate through stress reactions, and guide individuals or groups toward stability during critical moments.

👉1/14: De-escalation Skills for the Front Line
👉1/19-1/21: Assisting Individuals in Crisis & Group Crisis Intervention
👉1/27-1/28: Adv Group Crisis Intervention

Strengthen your communication toolkit. Learn more and sign up: icisf.org/remote-learning/

Address

3290 Pine Orchard Lane, Ste 106
Ellicott City, MD
21042

Website

http://www.icisf.org/, https://mailchi.mp/icisf.org/email-sign-up

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Our Story

The International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc. (ICISF) is a not for profit, 501(c)3 organization and our mission is to provide leadership, education, training, consultation, and support services in comprehensive crisis intervention and disaster behavioral health services to the emergency response professions, other organizations, and communities worldwide.

Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) is a method of helping first responders and others who have been involved in critical incidents that leave them emotionally and/or physically affected by those incidents. CISM is a process that enables peers to help their peers understand problems that might occur after an event. This process also helps people prepare to continue to perform their services or in some cases return to a normal lifestyle.

ICISF provides training for individuals interested in becoming a part of a crisis management team, or for an organization that is dedicated to helping individuals or groups recover from incidents. To learn more, visit our website at www.icisf.org.