(1)
Participants listen intently during one of the presentations.
(2)
Maj. Robert T. Taylor, emergency services training officer for the Northeast Region, explains a point during a practical training exercise.
Classroom filled to capacity with participants.
(3)
Col. Christopher Hayden, Northeast Region commander, addresses the group on the importance of Critical Incident Stress Management training.
Capt. Ken Windyka
Public Affairs Officer
Westover Composite Squadron
Massachusetts Wing
MASSACHUSETTS —The Northeast Region devoted 2 ½ days to Critical Incident Stress Management training for 41 members from throughout the region, as well as six American Red Cross volunteers and employees and one National Guard employee.
The course, hosted at Westover Air Reserve Base by the Westover Composite Squadron from Feb. 19-21, involved 27 hours of classroom instruction and practical exercises designed to prepare participants to be psychological “first aid” responders.
Those attending were trained in the CISM peer, individual and group process principles, which strive to mitigate the psychological impact of a traumatic event, such as a plane crash, natural disaster or other serious incident or accidents. CISM also serves as an early identification mechanism for individuals who may require professional mental health follow-up for after a traumatic event.
Participants were reminded that no one in emergency services is immune to critical incident stress, regardless of past experience or years of service.
The instructor for the course was Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Van Don Williams, chaplain for the Northeast Region, a retired 20-year New York City firefighter who and has experienced firsthand the challenges faced by public safety responders in the aftermath of such disasters as the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Williams is certified by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation and teaches this course professionally to many public safety agencies and other organizations throughout the U.S.
Capt. Jack Arena, the Northeast Region’s CISM director, served as course coordinator. Region and New York Wing staff members assisted with portions of the practical training exercises.
Col. Christopher Hayden, Northeast Region commander, was among those attending. He told fellow participants how important the training was, not only for providing assistance to members but also for offering the potential of providing assistance to other military and civilian organizations as a future CAP mission.
The course graduates:
Northeast Region
- Headquarters — Col. Christopher Hayden, commander; Col. Craig Treadwell; deputy chief of staff for cadet programs; Lt. Col. Andrew Feldman, deputy chief of staff for communications; Lt. Col. Merrie Knightly, assistant vice commander; Maj. Robert T. Taylor, emergency services training officer; and Capt. Jack Arena, Critical Incident Stress Management officer.
Connecticut Wing
- 169th Composite Squadron — Lt. Col. Jeanne Magurany, commander.
- 399th Composite Squadron — Maj. Michael Heath, 1st Lt. Peter Gottlieb and 2nd Lt. Charles O’Donnell.
Maine Wing
- Headquarters — Maj. Andrea Hayden, Crisis Incident Stress Management officer.
- 35th Composite Squadron — Capt. Cathie Spaulding, commander, and 1st Lt. Margurite Decker.
Massachusetts Wing
- Headquarters — Col. William Meskill, commander, and 2nd Lt. Marianne Meskill.
- Beverly Composite Squadron — Lt. Col. Guy Simmons, testing officer, and Chaplain (Capt.) Robert Ebersole, chaplain.
- Boston Cadet Squadron — 1st Lt. Richard Walsh, emergency services officer.
- Lt. Col. Frank Pocher Minute Man Squadron — Maj. Sharon Ingraham, commander.
New Hampshire Wing
- Headquarters — 1st Lt. Ernest Castle, inspector general.
- Greater Nashua Composite Squadron — Maj. David Murotake and 1st Lt. Timothy Johnson, deputy commander.
- Gloucester County Composite Squadron — Capt. Gary Branyen, drug demand reduction officer.
- Hawk Composite Squadron — 2nd Lt. Scott J. Davis.
- Seacoast Composite Squadron — Capt. Diane Lambert, deputy commander for cadets.
New Jersey Wing
- Group 221 — 1st Lt. Robert Lippman, disaster relief officer.
- Ocean Composite Squadron — 2nd Lt. William Stockham, emergency services officer.
New York Wing
- Headquarters — Maj. Tom Vreeland, director of information technology, and Capt. Debra Wood.
- Mid-Eastern Group — Lt. Col. Anita Martin, commander, and 1st Lt. Thomas Hoey, public affairs officer.
- New York City Group — Lt. Col. Sharon L. Williams, commander.
- South Eastern Group — Capt. Sharon Brana, operations officer.
- Sullivan County Cadet Squadron — 1st Lt. Timothy Sheridan, deputy commander.
- Westchester-Hudson Composite Squadron —Capt. Jill Silverman, commander; 2nd Lt. Janet M. Celia-Antonacci, public affairs officer; and 2nd Lts. Howard Kravitz and Max Kravitz.
Pennsylvania Wing
- Warren County Composite Squadron — Chaplain (Capt.) Randall Matheny, chaplain.
Aln aerospace member from New York, Brenda Mathison, also graduated..
