Alexandria, VA – The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International has issued a call for participation for working group members to participate in the creation of a candidate standard titled Core Competencies and Minimum Training Standards for Peer Critical Incident (or Crisis) Support Team.
Stress, both everyday cumulative stress and that caused by singular critical incidents, is a known issue within public safety. This initiative aims to create a framework that ensures consistent, high-quality training for those who provide essential peer support to emergency communications professionals.
“Public safety telecommunicators face unique and intense stressors that can significantly impact their mental and emotional wellbeing,” said Stephen Martini, president of APCO International. “By establishing standardized training requirements for peer support teams, we can ensure that these vital teams are properly equipped to help their colleagues through difficult situations.”
The working group will focus on developing standards in four key areas:
- Recognition of stress indicators: Establishing minimum training requirements for identifying signs and symptoms that indicate a colleague is being negatively affected by workplace stress.
- Scope of responsibility: Defining appropriate functions and boundaries for peer support team members.
- Resource knowledge: Creating requirements for training on available local and professional resources.
- De-escalation techniques: Developing training standards for effective first-line de-escalation methods to assist colleagues experiencing acute stress reactions or emotional distress.
Anyone who is interested including users, producers and those with general interest in emergency communications and peer support systems is encouraged to participate in this important standards development process. To volunteer, complete the online application to join this working group. Participants in an APCO standards working group will acquire points toward their Registered Public-Safety Leader (RPL) recertification. The Working Group will meet on the first and third Wednesday of the month at 1:00 p.m. ET for 50 minutes each meeting.
The deadline to sign up is May 31. Selections will be made within two weeks of the closing date, and all will be notified of their status via email. Contact [email protected] visit our website for more information.
APCO International® (www.apcointl.org)
APCO International is the world’s oldest and largest organization of public safety communications professionals and supports the largest U.S. membership base of any public safety association. It serves the needs of public safety communications practitioners worldwide – and the welfare of the general public as a whole – by providing complete expertise, professional development, technical assistance, advocacy and outreach.
