Volunteers for stress management team sought

Published 12:00 am Thursday, October 3, 2002

It is an opportunity to help those who help others. The newly-formed Southeast Ohio Critical Incident Stress Management Team is looking for volunteers to help emergency services personnel cope with the stress of their jobs.

CISM Director/Coordinator Shirley Mannon said that emergency responders often do not realize that they, too, are affected by the incidents they handle, be it a car accident, a fire or a crime. What they see and hear day in and day out has an impact on their lives, and on their families' as well.

"The focus of this service is to minimize the harmful effects of job stress, particularly in a crisis or emergency situations," Mannon said. "It will help them find an explanation for the feelings they may be having, the mental and physical

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fatigue, and it will help ease them back into normality after the crisis is over."

Mannon said the first class to train volunteers is scheduled for Nov. 1 and 2. The volunteers will eventually work with emergency responders to help them deal with the anxieties that are a direct result of handling crisis situations on a regular basis.

"This is a project that should have happened years ago," Mannon said. "We are trying to bring our county up to standards and be available to help in any critical incident."

The cost of the class is $125. This covers material and certification.

The classes will be taught at Ohio University Southern. Those who want more information may contact Mannon at 532-3149.