Pandemic, Bioterrorism, Radiation, Pollution and other “Disasters of Uncertainty” a Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Perspectives

Requesting This Course:

CISM in a Pandemic

Course Description:

This program will provide insights into psychological preparedness and response through the lens of Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), arguably the most widely used integrated continuum of crisis and disaster-oriented care in the world. We shall examine how CISM can be applied to pandemics and other “disasters of uncertainty.”

CISM may be viewed as a strategic tool in that it may, not only be harnessed in community, organizational, and even larger scale public health applications, but may also be useful to dramatically expand mental health surge capacity in general.

While we cannot always control the manner in which a disaster unfolds, we can control how we prepare and manage our response to such disasters. This program seeks to provide relevant guidance.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will develop an increased understanding of:

  1. The role of uncertainty in increasing psychological toxicity
  2. The nature of psychological casualties and psychological toxicity
  3. The psychological phases of disaster
  4. How the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) integrated continuum of care can be applied across the phases of disaster
  5. Resilient attitudes as the foundation and final arbiter of personal resilience

Note: This program is NOT designed to teach the applied skills of the numerous CISM tactical interventions (psychological first aid [PFA], CISD, crisis management briefing, leadership, etc.). Those skills can be acquired through intervention-specific training courses. Rather, this program takes more of a strategic planning perspective. It is designed to answer the “How do we best respond?” question when facing pandemics, bioterrorism, and radiation-based disasters.

Certificates and Continuing Education:

General Contact Hours:
 3 Contact Hours; 0.3 General CEUs from University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) Dept. of Emergency Health Services Professional and Continuing Education (PACE)

ICISF Certificate of Completion:

After the completion of this ICISF course, with verified full attendance, participants are eligible to receive an electronic ICISF Certificate of Completion including General Continuing Education Units. Participants are required to complete a course evaluation prior to receiving this Certificate of Completion.

Completion of ICISF courses and receipt of an ICISF Certificate of Completion does not attest to competence in the field, nor does it provide certification in the field of CISM. 

Profession Specific CEUs:

If you are seeking continuing education requirements for a specific profession, contacting the relevant state licensing board is the best way to ensure you have the most up-to-date and accurate information. They can provide you with specific details regarding whether a Certificate of Completion from a particular course or program will be accepted towards your continuing education requirements.

If the ICISF course you attend is offered through:

ICISF Virtual Training, Online Training, or Conference, it is approved for the following:

  • EAPA – Employee Assistance Professionals Association
    3 PDHs; Expiration Date – March 21, 2025

ICISF Speakers Bureau Program: It is up to the Sponsoring Agency to apply for profession-specific Continuing Education Units (CEUs) if they choose to do so.

ICISF Approved-Instructor led Program: While our Approved Instructors have the authority to teach specific ICISF courses, it is their responsibility to apply for profession-specific Continuing Education Units (CEUs) if they choose to do so.

** Please check with your state licensing board prior to registration to see if they will accept the Certificate of Completion as a means for continuing education.

*PLEASE NOTE: These hours are only applicable towards courses offered at Virtual Trainings, Conferences, Online Courses, and the World Congress.