ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) – Tompkins County first responders have a new resource for mental health.

On February 6, the Department of Emergency Response (DoER)  launched its CISM Team, which stands for Critical Incident Stress Management. The team is made up of mental health clinicians and peers to help local first responders dealing with traumatic events as a result of their service.

“The CISM Team is not a counseling or therapy provider or intended to be a substitute for either,” said DoER EMS Program Manager and CISM leader Joe Milliman. “But rather, it is a team of first responders here to support the mental health of our fellow responders utilizing peer support.”

The team can be requested to respond to large-scale events, or at a debriefing several days afterward.  It will be paired with the Overwatch Peer Support (OPS) program later this year.

“These two initiatives will work hand in hand towards addressing first responder mental health and removing the stigma surrounding it,” stated DoER Peer Support Coordinator Danielle Schwarz.