Which term refers to the process that should be performed after a major incident within 12-72 hours?

Which term refers to the process that should be performed after a major incident within 12-72 hours?

• A. After Action Review
• B. Debriefing
• C. CISM
• D. CISD

Answer: (D)

The process being described is the structured, facilitator-led session designed to address responders’ psychological reactions after a major incident. This debriefing is typically conducted within the first 12 to 72 hours and aims to help participants express emotions, normalize stress responses, share experiences, and identify coping strategies or the need for further support. It’s a specific form of support within the broader mental health framework used after incidents. This distinguishes it from an After Action Review, which focuses on what happened operationally and how to improve performance, not on emotional processing. Debriefing is a general term that can refer to various formats and isn’t tied to a defined time window or structure. CISM is the overall program that includes several components for incident-related stress management, whereas the term that names the specific, time-bound process after a major incident is the structured Critical Incident Stress Debriefing.

The process being described is the structured, facilitator-led session designed to address responders’ psychological reactions after a major incident. This debriefing is typically conducted within the first 12 to 72 hours and aims to help participants express emotions, normalize stress responses, share experiences, and identify coping strategies or the need for further support. It’s a specific form of support within the broader mental health framework used after incidents.

This distinguishes it from an After Action Review, which focuses on what happened operationally and how to improve performance, not on emotional processing. Debriefing is a general term that can refer to various formats and isn’t tied to a defined time window or structure. CISM is the overall program that includes several components for incident-related stress management, whereas the term that names the specific, time-bound process after a major incident is the structured Critical Incident Stress Debriefing.