First Responder Chaplain
First Responder Chaplain Division of the International Circle of Faith Chaplaincy is a specialized ministry setting. Learn about the specialty practice of crisis, trauma, and first response and its spiritual care aspects through resources, courses, and presentations from national and international experts. As you develop knowledge of spiritual care and strengthen your understanding of other faiths and cultures, you will also start to discover your inner self as you strengthen your spirituality.
Law Enforcement (City/County/FBI)
The men and women who serve in law enforcement encounter high levels of stress and danger. Each day they may be asked to risk their lives to serve and protect others. Though they are trained and equipped to handle the stress, they need the spiritual strength and confidence that is only found in relationship with Christ. When the difficulty and stress of the job become too much to bear, our law enforcement officials need counsel from the chaplain they know and trust.
Routine duties: counsel officers through work and personal issues, calm unruly prisoners, serve as a liaison between department and public, notify family members of a death, support officers’ families through injury or death, monitor offenders on probation.
Fire
Firefighters frequently forge deep, lasting connections as they work side by side in high-pressure environments and rely on each other during intense emergencies. Within this close-knit community, a chaplain plays a unique and valuable role, offering compassionate guidance and emotional support when challenges or crises arise.
Typical responsibilities might involve facilitating insightful group discussions that help firefighters process their experiences, providing private counseling for personal or professional struggles, standing alongside crew members during critical incidents to offer comfort, and extending practical and emotional assistance to families affected at fire scenes.
How to become a First Responder Chaplain
1. Religious Background and Ordination/Licensure:
First responder chaplain, including first responder chaplains, needs to be an ordained minister or possess equivalent religious credentials. You'll need to be recognized and supported by a religious institution or denomination
2. Chaplaincy Training:
3. Endorsement and Accreditation:
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Recognition by a major religious group, such as the International Circle of Faith
Credentialing and Membership: The International Circle of Faith offers ecclesiastical endorsements, credentials, membership, certifications, ID cards, and continuing education.
​4. Experience and Volunteer Work:
​The ICOFC Training Manual provides focused programs for first responder chaplains in crisis intervention, trauma care, and pastoral support during emergencies.
Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM):
​Training in CISM is crucial for understanding and supporting first responders' mental health after traumatic incidents.
Gaining Experience: Volunteering with local first responder agencies, including fire departments or law enforcement agencies, offers experience and an understanding of the challenges faced by first responders. Building Relationships: Establishing meaningful connections with first responders and their families is essential to providing effective chaplaincy services.
FEMA Incident Command System (ICS) Training:
​5. Additional Steps:
​Familiarity with ICS procedures is essential for chaplains working in large-scale emergency situations.
Attach the Certificates of successful completion of the FEMA Incident Command System required courses. They are FREE. The courses are IS-100c and IS-700b. Please print out your certifications and use those numbers for your application process.
Background Checks: ICOF Chaplaincy requires background checks as part of the credentialing process.
Letters of Recommendation: letters of recommendation from your religious institution and other individuals who can attest to your character and qualifications.
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE):
Some organizations require or recommend CPE, which provides practical experience in counseling and pastoral care.
Continuing Education: First responder chaplaincy is a field that requires ongoing learning and development, so continuing education opportunities are essential.
​When you pursue a career as a chaplain, you’re not just joining an organization, you’re joining a team of people. We’re here to help you. At any point along the way, contact the Chaplaincy team
502-890-1218