Essentials of Fire Chaplaincy training is the basic training for fire chaplains. Over 30 plus years, the Federation of Fire Chaplains has developed a 16-hour intensive basic fire chaplain training that is recognized as the standard of fire chaplain training world-wide. The Essentials training is a face-to-face environment that provides unparalleled knowledge and skills needed to become an effective fire service chaplain. You need to know what to do, how to do it, and how to do it well. The best return on your training investment is the Essentials of Fire Chaplaincy training. This basic training is the foundational study upon which all other fire chaplaincy courses are built.

IT WILL HELP YOU UNDERSTAND YOUR ROLE: -You will learn how to become an asset to your firefighters and your community. You will learn how to understand your role as a helping minister, not just a religious minister. You will learn how to be a “ministry of presence” in very difficult situations. You will learn how to deliver an effective and caring chaplaincy without sometimes saying a single word. You will learn how to be there, listen and love.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:

-An introduction - history of fire chaplaincy; foundation and development of the Federation of Fire Chaplains. -The Personhood of the Chaplain is WHO you are and who you ARE NOT as a fire chaplain.

-The Ministry to Firefighters is WHAT you do as a fire chaplain for your firefighters.
-The Beginning a Fire Chaplaincy is HOW to develop a fire chaplaincy program in your fire department. -The Chaplain Operations is HOW and WHAT to do on the emergency scene, fire house, and other places.. -The Chaplain Ministry to Crisis Victims - HOW to do and HOW NOT to do with crisis victims.

-The CISM Overview - an overview of the CISM process as relates to fire chaplaincy (only introduction). -The Injury and Death Notification - HOW TO DO and HOW NOT TO DO during this important task. -The Introduction to Firefighter Funerals – HOW TO DO A FIREFIGHTER FUNERAL; funeral customs, types of funerals, and how you can make a difference with families in the death of a firefighter.

- HIPAA, Confidentiality, PSOB, and EAP and other important information for being an effective chaplain.

WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS TRAINING:

This training is designed to train newly appointed fire chaplains (learn the right skills before you adopt the wrong ones). The veteran chaplains who seek a refresher to update their information and skills (refreshers are tuition free).
One who might feel a calling to become a fire chaplain; one who wants to minister to their brother/sister firefighters.

WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID ABOUT THIS TRAINING:

-More clearly understood the nature and personality of firefighters; gave me the tools to be needed in our department; warned me about mistakes which made me a better fire chaplain; the Essentials class gave me directions on how to use the tools of a fire chaplain; I learned not only what not to say, but what to say and how to say it; was encouraged by the sharing of other chaplains; relevant, interesting and informative; Outstanding course!; well worth my time and money.

WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP?

This 16 hour class is the foundational component of chaplaincy training. After completing this class, you are encouraged to work toward your Advanced Chaplaincy (130+ hours) of training and experience. The first step is to become a member of the FFC (Initial FFC dues are $125.00 which sets up your training records and tracks your training) and complete the FFC Institute Application. (FFC dues are $100.00 a year thereafter). Go to www.firechaplains.org and click on Membership and Institute and complete this process. For additional Information, contact Jim Duncan at firechaplain@firechaplains.org

For additional information or to enroll for the Essentials class, contact:
Michael Perser 2154 Waymon Street, Shreveport, LA 71118 michaelperser@gmail.com or 318-347-8940