Lino Lakes CISM Training Event
By Lt. Jessica Johnson
When presented with the opportunity, the MCF-Lino Lakes CISM Team: Sgt. David Craig, Sgt. David Neubarth, Transitions Coordinator Beth Kirk, Sgt. Julius Eyong, Sgt. Josh Kubiszewski, COII Jared Jokela, and Lt. Jessica Johnson, jumped at the chance to host this quarter's masters CISM training event.
After much coordination from Peer Support staff: Roger Carr, Lydia Newlin, Sean McIntyre, and the CISM Training Committee: Amanda Biggins, Heidi Stokes, Marie Enninga, Jay Olson, Teri Hand, and Danielle Kimmes, on April 19, despite the cold, rainy weather and flooding roads, 45 of the Department's CISM and Peer Support Team members met together in person for the first time in since the onset of COVID at the MCF-Lino Lakes PFA Auditorium to discuss what CISM looks like today, the future of CISM, and the various processes that Peer Support and CISM offer.
In addition, they learned about stress management, the importance of mental health and resiliency, along with healthy tools for releasing stress provided by speakers from Blue Peak Consulting - Dr. Margaret Gavian, and Christian Grams. Blue Peak Consulting was founded in 2012 by Dr. Margaret Gavian's deep desire to better serve those that have experienced significant stressful life experiences. Blue Peak's mission is to target mental health at its source, from executives and civilians to public safety personnel like firefighters, law enforcement, EMS, and dispatch.
The day was filled with opportunities for team members to network, support, learn from one another, and were even able to receive a video call from Sonja Cobb, a long-time team member who is still away from work following a significant assault while working overtime at her home facility of MCF-OPH. People were filled with emotion at being able to see and hear from her.
A visit from MCF-Lino Lakes Executive Team representatives – Captain Chad Oye, John Kelly, and Safety Director Wayne Niles – was received with applause after their heartfelt message of appreciation for the work the Peer Support and CISM teams provide, and all the time volunteered by these individuals. They collectively stressed the feeling of family that co-workers have for one another and the impact that is felt when one of our own is stressed, injured, or in the worst of circumstances, dies. They impressed upon the team the importance of self-care and communication with a commitment to workplace safety, closing with gratitude and grace for the work.
The day closed with hopes for the future, growth of our team, and plenty of suggestions for impactful strategies for messaging the resources available to staff.
