Citation

Norris WC, Stauffer E. Fire Eng. 2006; 159(12): 89-90.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Penn Well Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The role of a chaplain in a fire department is looked on as a source of comfort and guidance. Fire departments have had someone in the role of a chaplain, whose duties include notifying family members of serious injuries, line-of-duty deaths, and suicides involving fire department members and their families. They fulfill a traditional ceremonial role by giving the invocation at fire department functions and conducting wedding and funeral for the fire department members. They offer a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear, and hands to help clean up the debris. The chaplain offers stability during chaos by stepping outside of the emergency and offering unbiased and objective advisement. A chaplain must have the power to minister the department members of Catholic, Protestants, and Jewish beliefs.

Language: en

Keywords

Stability; Social aspects; Fire protection; Personnel; Chaplaincy program; Department members; Fire department; Project management