Crisis Response Basic Training

How do I sum up such an amazing and intense week?  There were so many elements to this training that were designed to prepare us spiritually, physically, emotionally and even psychologically.  Based on my own experience and past training, I would have to say it was like "We had Church"; Chaplaincy training; First Aid; CFL Kids' Camp (for adults); disaster preparedness and Cleansing Waters (Deliverance ministry) all rolled into one 3 1/2 day course!

Each day the focus was on a different phase of crisis response beginning with the Mitigation Phase.  We were taught on the importance of lessening the degree of severity, seriousness and painfulness of the event. 

The training included Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) where we got both classroom and hands-on training to administer Spiritual and Emotional care as well as spiritual training on healing.   We also had a class in Disaster First Aid where we were shown how and when to use tourniquets.

The next day was focused on the Preparedness (the state of readiness) Phase.  The Chaplaincy training continued with Grief/Forgiveness and hands-on Death Notices.  All of which ministered to each of us in a personal way.  The spiritual part of the training was on deliverance.  This was following by Personal Preparation for disaster in our own communities, giving us many resources, and lists of important items to have on hand in the event of an emergency. 

We moved from there to doing what they called "Light SAR" (Search And Rescue).  Let me just tell you, there was nothing 'light' about it!  We were brought through the woods to a very well-staged area where we had a simulated tornado. 



The scene was overwhelming and chaotic, but we had no time to think about that.  We immediately moved into action doing triage, first aid and recovery.  It was very sobering to come upon a  little girl who ended up in this scenario dying right in front of me when I was doing all I could to help her.  It brings back the reminder from our first Disaster First Aid course that ultimately the outcome is in the hands of God.

After tagging the little girl, I was immediately confronted with an injured man who was frantic about his girlfriend who was pinned in the car he was thrown from.  I could see that although he was running around and I was trying to get him to stop and sit down, that he had a severe head wound that needed immediate attention.  I called others to come and help and we got him to lay down and put

pressure on the wound while we assessed him for other injuries.  When enough people were available, we got him on a board and moved him over to a medevac area.

Day 3 was the Response Phase.  We discussed deployment protocol and were taught on land navigation in our First Aid class. 

In the afternoon simulation of a plane crash, we were told there were no survivors and had to do Cadaver Recovery including the use of tags and body bags.  Once again, very sobering!  Afterwards we were confronted with family members who were converging on the scene and hysterical.  We immediately had to switch gears and respond as Chaplains, calling on the Holy Spirit and doing our best to meet their basic needs.  Our spiritual training was on prayer, evangelism and the prophetic.

Every morning we had worship and devotions, and the evening was worship and the Word.  At the end of day 3 we were graduated and given our Certificates making us official Disaster Responders!

I would definitely recommend this, or one of the many other courses offered by CRI (Crisis Response International) to anyone who is interested in being the hands and feet of God in the event of the sure to be forthcoming disasters both home and abroad.  For future training events, here is their website: http://criout.com/