Pandemic Flu Plan

A guide for preparing for a major public health crisis; Ministry & Hope During the Pandemic Influenza

 

Fairfax County Community Chaplain Program

This year, 2009, marks the beginning of the Community Chaplain Program.  While the Police and Fire & Rescue Chaplains will continue to provide spiritual care to first responders and citizens in crisis, when needed, the Fairfax County Community Chaplains will provide spiritual care and support specifically to community members during and after a local emergency or man-made or natural disaster. 

Fairfax Community Chaplains will be deployed to such areas as Family Assistance Centers, Emergency Shelters, and Disaster/Emergency Assistance Centers. Chaplains will work under the direction of emergency responders, Police and Fire & Rescue Chaplains, and in coordination with mental health professionals from the Fairfax County Community Services Board, the Department of Family Services and the Department of Health. Community Chaplains will work within the Uniform Incident Command System. Community Chaplains may be called at any time for a local emergency or disaster; however, each Chaplain will commit to serve as the “On Call Community Chaplain” in a weekly rotation for up to six weeks a year.

Fairfax County Community Chaplains at this time are to be ordained/invested or certified clergy.  Each Community Chaplain candidate is to complete a “Community Chaplain Application” and successfully complete a “Fairfax County Criminal Background Investigation”. Candidates are required to attend four trainings and participate in a Community Chaplain Steering Committee interview to complete their Community Chaplain Certification process. The Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management will provide certification documentation and identification.

A Community Chaplain Orientation session will be held on Monday, November 16^th from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm in the Fairfax County Government Center for clergy interested in learning more about this initiative and to begin their Chaplain training.  The other trainings include: “Assisting Individuals in Crisis” on January 11^th and 12^th and “Pastoral Crisis Intervention” on March 3^rd and 4^th. Both classes are certification courses and will be taught by an International Critical Incident Stress Foundation certified instructor.  “Psychological First Aid” will be offered later in the spring with instructors from the Falls Church/Fairfax Community Services Board and the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services.  All classes will be required for Community Chaplain Certification and are offered at no cost. Each candidate will also be required to successfully complete the National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) 100 on-line course. This course is also free.

Orientation: Register for the Community Chaplain Orientation by November 10^th, by emailing CILUSER@Fairfaxcounty.gov. Please include your name, email, phone number and House of Worship information.

Application: Please fax (703)-803-8598 or email CILUSER@fairfaxounty.gov the application by November 16th.  A Criminal Background Investigation form will follow once your application has been screened for the program requirements.

Please use the links below to obtain a copy of the “Fairfax County Community Chaplain Application” and “Community Chaplain Program Candidate Requirements”.

Fairfax County Community Chaplain Application

Community Chaplain Program Candidate Requirements

 

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