Our Policy

The California Fire Chaplain Association shall serve independently, non-denominationally and without compromise of personally held beliefs and convictions. The Chaplain does not take the place of the family minister or pastor, nor does the Chaplain promote doctrinal positions distinctive to his particular church organization or denomination, except by specific request of person(s) involved. Administering of any special sacraments, etc., shall be referred to a member of the clergy who subscribes to the tenets of the requested service and/or “religious faith” of the person/family being served.

Program supervision shall be under the President/Executive director and the appropriate area coordinator.

The Chaplain will be expected to complete the 40 hour “Basic Chaplaincy” training or the Federation of Fire Chaplain Basic Chaplain training within the first year.

There are two levels of Chaplaincy that can be utilized Chaplain (Licensed Minister) or Associate Chaplain (Non-Licensed or Lay Minister). The licensed minister has a greater degree of confidentiality covering by law. Both the Associate Chaplain and the Chaplain are to remain confidential regarding all matters.  However if subpoenaed to testify in a court of law the Associate Chaplain could not invoke “Clergy-Penitent Privilege.”

The California Fire Chaplain Association will have a system of oversight and operational accountability consisting of the following.  The President/Executive Director along with the Vice President is responsible for overall administration and operational guidance. The Treasurer is responsible for fiscal accountability. The Secretary is responsible for documentation accountability and information distribution. The Area Coordinators (North, Central, and South) are responsible for Operational oversight and accountability of California Fire Chaplain Association Chaplains in their area.

 Chaplain Duties

 The following duties are to present a guide and general representation of the types of tasks that a Cal-Fire Chaplain may be involved in, this is not intended to be a comprehensive or mandatory list. 

Emergency Situations: 

• Liaison with families experiencing the death or disabling injury of a Fire Service employee. 

• Assist Chief with notification of family of “line of duty” death or serious injury. 

• Hospital Visitation 

• Assist in transportation of family members to hospital in accordance to Department policy. 

• Provide accurate information to Chief or designee regarding condition of employee and family needs. 

• Respond to scene of a major critical incident, if necessary, to assist the Incident Commander with decision regarding emotional impact upon Fire personnel (i.e., 

employee suicide, airplane crash, mass casualty incident). 

• Provide at scene critical incident stress management via defusing and peer support. 

• Maintain list of referrals for mental health professionals and support groups. 

 Funerals/Memorials: 

• Assist with coordination of funerals and memorials for Fire personnel as per the Department policy. 

• Perform funeral services as requested. 

• Assist Firefighters Honor Guard with funeral services. 

• Work with family clergy to coordinate Fire Service involvement in funeral service. 

• Perform services for other agencies as requested by appropriate Chief Officer. 

• Provide comfort to the family and Fire Service personnel. 

 Hospitals: 

• Develop rapport with local hospitals and provide them with information regarding the Cal-Fire Chaplain Ministry. 

• Assist Chief with coordination of information and assistance to family of injured or ill employee. 

• Aid family with hospital procedures as needed. 

• Render emotional and spiritual support to family and employee. 

• Help provide clarification of procedures and information to family members during a very emotional time. 

 Spiritual and Emotional Assistance: 

• Provide spiritual assistance as requested by personnel. 

• Make referrals to appropriate denomination or religious group as needed. 

• Be emotional support for Fire service personnel going through traumatic times in their life, (e.g., divorce, death of child, serious illness, etc.). 

• Assist in diffusing an angry or seriously upset employee. 

 Officiating Ceremonies or functions: 

• Perform funerals/Memorials. 

• Officiate Fallen Firefighter memorial service. 

• Perform Invocation and Benediction at official functions. 

• Officiate functions as requested by Chief Officer. 

 General Duties: 

• Assist the Chief/Program manager, when requested to benefit or support an employee or family member. 

• Educate Fire Service personnel of Chaplain Program. 

• Minister to retired employees as needed and as time permits. 

• Perform visitation to recuperating personnel. 

• Provide general guidance to personnel regarding personal issues and maintain strict confidentiality of all information shared. 

• Perform speaking engagements as needed. 

• Provide peer support to personnel 

• Prepare correspondence as needed. 

• Prepare and maintain a referral list of local clergy of all faiths. 

 Substance Abuse Assistance Program: 

• The Unit Chaplains can be a confidential contact for employees struggling with substance or alcohol abuse problems. 

• Facilitate appropriate assistance for employees. 

• To encourage those struggling with abuse problems, but not to take responsibility for the employee’s particular program accountability. 

• Maintain strict confidentiality of all documents and information relating to any employee. 

 Critical Incident Stress Management: 

Be involved with the local CISM support system. This could include being a CISM team member, assisting in defusings, debriefings, follow up and family support. 

NOTE: All individuals involved in “Critical Incident Stress Management” will be trained according to the ICISF standards (“Mitchell Model”).

 Our Strategies

• Utilize a Unit/Department Coordinator to oversee Chaplains functioning in that Unit/Department.
• Unit/Department coordinators would report to the Area Coordinator.
• Establish a list of Clergy of all faiths for referral as requested.
• Conduct training to orient personnel to the program and how to access a Chaplain.
• Conduct training for the Chaplains so that a consistent method of assistance can be accomplished and therefore maintain accountability of the program.