AMFEMS CHAPLAIN

Our chaplains are an integral part of the Safety and Wellness of the Department. They are trained to provide support for our members, their families and the citizens of the community we serve. 

Currently we have three Chaplains on staff: Wayne Bishop, David Taylor and Lisa Bolin.
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The chaplains are available to offer care to our public safety family to help them fulfill their sworn duties. Emergency Response is a demanding profession, in addition to its physical demands, it presents emotional and mental health risks for our personnel. The chaplains understand the levels of those risks and attempt to help manage their impact on our members.

The chaplains are also able to assist by providing on-scene help/resources for those being impacted by a critical incident (e.g. fires, vehicle crashes, natural or man-made disasters, mass casualty incidents, attempted or completed suicide, etc.). 

Chaplaincy is part of the teamwork that allows AMFEMS to fulfill our Mission.

Chaplain Services

Assisting on Scene:  The chaplain can be helpful in dealing with fire or motor vehicle crash victims and their loved ones, mass casualty incidents and other emergency response, freeing our members to focus on emergency operations. The Chaplain also monitors members for how certain scenes may be affecting them and is available to members once the scene is cleared. The chaplain can be called by the Incident Commander or an officer to respond to a scene.

Ceremonies: The chaplain is available to conduct/assist in graduation ceremonies, weddings, funerals, celebration of life, and provide invocations at departmental events. The chaplain is able to provide sacraments and services in the hospital or at home for department personnel and retired members and their families.

Counseling: The chaplain can provide crisis counseling, grief counseling, and all aspects of critical incident stress management to members, officers and their families. 

Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM): The chaplain is one of the department’s CISM resources for either providing or arranging for a CISM team to provide CISM Services. In addition, the Chief or designee can also request a team 24/7. Individual members can request on their own behalf to speak with a team member for support. 

Fatalities: When there is a fatality, civilian or responder, the chaplain is available to respond immediately. The spiritual life of the deceased needs to be respected. In this very diverse world, that could mean several things and the Chaplain is available to provide guidance. 

Spiritual Guidance: The chaplain is available to provide spiritual guidance to all personnel and be a liaison with area ministries. All faith traditions and belief systems are respected.

​Suicide Intervention: The chaplain is trained and experienced in suicide intervention and prevention. Support for members and/or their families is available for suicide attempts or if the suicide is completed.\