CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) is a method used to reduce the impact sudden stress reactions may have on work ability and functional capacity after a critical incident. This has been compulsory in air navigation services after the entry into force of the relevant EU regulation a few years ago, but this has been actively implemented in Finland since the 1990s. The competence of volunteer support persons is maintained after basic training by means of refresher training organised every two years, most recently this past autumn.
Fintraffic’s Air Navigation Services has organised CISM activities as peer support activities in which volunteers in the work community are trained in the CISM method and on encountering a colleague who has encountered a sudden crisis. The three-day basic training includes theory on human crises and stress reactions and how to encounter these using the CISM method. Volunteers also take part in practical exercises during the training.
"There are currently nine CISM support persons at Air Navigation Services. The aim of the activities is to ensure that in spite of a crisis that a person has encountered they remain functional and gain structure in their life, which will help them return their thoughts from the crisis to normal life. At its simplest, the assistance provided by the support person involves conversations about what has happened and support required in dealing with reactions caused by the events," says CISM Coordinator Mika Virolainen from Fintraffic's Air Navigation Services.
Refresher training allows participants to examine the method via the topical theme of the day
After basic training, support persons participate in refresher training organised every two years, most recently this past autumn. During refresher training, the CISM method is reviewed and the method is reflecting on via a topical theme for the day. Guests from places such as airlines, the Emergency Response Centre or social and crisis emergency services are often also involved in bringing their own perspective to this important work. The theme of this year’s refresher training was the blurred boundaries of CISM activities.
"Refresher training strengthens the participants’ know-how related to the topic but also serves as important peer support for support persons. Refresher training provides an excellent opportunity to exchange experiences and lessons learned. Although some support persons have participated for nearly twenty years, their enthusiasm and motivation for helping others is still strong. It’s nice to note how people want to take care of their colleagues,” says Virolainen.
Peer activities are a key part of CISM activities as a whole, as it is often easier to for people to talk about things that are bothering them with peers than with anyone else like a supervisor. All support persons have made non-disclosure promise, so conversations remain confidential and no information about them is disclosed to the employer.
When is it best to contact a CISM support person?
The need for a discussion with a support person may arise in the time following an accident or hazardous situation, a serious occupational accident or some other crisis event encountered by the work community or an individual. Situations are usually sudden and unexpected.
"We have not set any limits on the situations in which a support person can be contacted, as the critical nature of events is always a subjective experience for each individual. At its largest, the situation may involve an accident during one’s own shift, but emotional situations may also hamper one's functional capacity. For example, it is important for air traffic controllers to maintaining a feeling that the situation is under control at all times. If their sense of control is shaken, this may feel like a turmoil and crisis in the person's mind even if there is nothing abnormal about them externally," says Virolainen.
Possible symptoms of a stress reaction after an unexpected or exceptional event include difficulty concentrating, restlessness, difficulty sleeping, difficulties in decision-making, anxiety, a tendency to be tearful or cry, overalertness, cold sweats and the person's thoughts constantly swirling around what happened. An effort is made to hold a debriefing in accordance with CISM methods within three days of the critical incident. Depending on the situation, discussions are conducted face-to-face or by telephone.
“Although CISM activities are currently only mandatory in air navigation, Fintraffic has also started organising it in other modes of transport. It's fantastic that the employer facilitates the development of such activities, as this will make it possible to significantly support the well-being of our personnel in our safety-critical sector,” says Virolaine
