Critical Incident Stress Management

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers missions – from flood operations to disaster response -- come with stress -- great levels of stress -- sometimes over prolonged periods and often in the public eye. Trans-Atlantic and North Atlantic Commands along with South Pacific, Mississippi Valley, Pacific Ocean, Southwestern, and Great Lakes and Ohio River Divisions have adopted the Critical Incident Stress Management Program to help employees faced with crisis situations.

This peer-driven program combines pre-crisis preparation, stress education, and post-event response. Each element is designed to help employees recover more quickly from abnormally stressful job-related incidents and trauma, collectively known as "critical incidents." Since peer supporters have often “been there, done that,” they bring experience and empathy to crisis situations and are usually met with a level of trust and a sense of relief by employees dealing with harmful stress.

Through the CISM program, employees are given the support and information needed to help handle critical stress in healthy, productive ways. The program has been proven to benefit both the individual and the organization. It is complementary to and works hand-in-hand with the Employee Assistance Program provider.

This page provides a bulleted list of CISM topics areas. At the bottom of each topic area's cover page (title), the name of the identified Content Subject Matter Expert (SME) is listed. If you are interested in more detailed information, contact the SME directly.

At a Glance	News / Current Issues
Policy & Procedures	FAQs
Program Summary	Good Enough to Share
Training	Lessons Learned
References	Related Sites
Brochures	Division & District POCs