About - FAQ
Post Traumatic StressA critical has been defined in many ways but one commonly accepted definition is any event that overwhelms a person’s usual ability to cope (Everly/Mitchell 1993). For first responders (police, fire, dispatch, medics, EMT's, nurses, armed forces, crime scene investigators, etc), some of the familiar critical incidents are:
Most first responders see, hear, taste, smell and touch more trauma in a month than the average citizen does in a lifetime. Critical incident stress is a normal reaction to an abnormal situation, by a group or an individual. Some of the symptoms are:
PTSD is a psychiatric disorder, which may result from exposure to a critical incident or a traumatic event. PTSD requires specific symptoms in order for a diagnosis to be made. These symptoms include avoidance, re-experiencing, and arousal. There are many fine websites with information about PTSD such as the National Institute of Mental Health. |
Female City Police by Daniel Sundahl
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Retreat
Not necessarily. Many of our participants have been diagnosed with a stress disorder, or as we like to refer to it as, a post traumatic stress injury, but not all have been. However, a majority of our clients are experiencing distress in their lives. This includes depression, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, excessive alcohol use, isolation, exhaustion, etc.
California law allows the privilege of confidentiality between our participants and the staff doctors, psychotherapists, and chaplains (CA Evidence Codes 992, 1012, and 1032 respectively). Information about your attendance will only be released with your authorization, unless safety becomes an issue.
Many participants attend without their agency's knowledge by using vacation or compensation time. This also applies to anyone else that you know. Our staff understands this and our first priority is that you feel comfortable and safe. It would be up to you if you told that you attended an FRSN retreat. Also, if any staff member from your retreat sees you on the street they will not acknowledge you, it will be up to you to go up to that person. We do this to protect your confidentiality not to ignore you.
Many participants attend without their agency's knowledge by using vacation or compensation time. This also applies to anyone else that you know. Our staff understands this and our first priority is that you feel comfortable and safe. It would be up to you if you told that you attended an FRSN retreat. Also, if any staff member from your retreat sees you on the street they will not acknowledge you, it will be up to you to go up to that person. We do this to protect your confidentiality not to ignore you.
For a WCPR retreat:
FRSN will work with most insurance companies. FRSN has been paid for by the state worker’s compensation system from a number of states, Kaiser, United Behavioral Health and many third party claim administrators. Many agencies pay for their members to attend, most report using training funds, as the attendee gains a great deal of useful information about stress and is able to use this information to help other members of his/her organization. Some pay out of their own pocket or their union or association will help with the fee. Our goal is to have you attend the program and benefit from the experience. If you believe you would benefit from attending our program, please call and allow us the opportunity to further discuss finances.
For a SOS retreat:
This program is currently offered at minimal cost to attendees. FRSN’s goal is for those who attend to benefit from the experience. If you believe you would benefit from attending the SOS program, please call and allow us the opportunity to further discuss finances.
FRSN will work with most insurance companies. FRSN has been paid for by the state worker’s compensation system from a number of states, Kaiser, United Behavioral Health and many third party claim administrators. Many agencies pay for their members to attend, most report using training funds, as the attendee gains a great deal of useful information about stress and is able to use this information to help other members of his/her organization. Some pay out of their own pocket or their union or association will help with the fee. Our goal is to have you attend the program and benefit from the experience. If you believe you would benefit from attending our program, please call and allow us the opportunity to further discuss finances.
For a SOS retreat:
This program is currently offered at minimal cost to attendees. FRSN’s goal is for those who attend to benefit from the experience. If you believe you would benefit from attending the SOS program, please call and allow us the opportunity to further discuss finances.
Yes. Many past participants from WCPR and SOS currently serve as volunteer staff members. Also, many of our participants throughout the country and beyond are happy to talk about their experiences. When possible, a staff member will connect you with someone with a similar background (i.e., SWAT, ER nurse, etc.). When calling to speak with someone who has previously attended a retreat program, please let us know if you are a first responder or a significant other or spouse of a first responder, so we can get you in touch with someone the most appropriate person for your circumstances.
The WCPR and SOS 6-day programs provide a safe environment for healing, education, and peer support to help you understand what you have been through. With these tools and a 90-day follow-up plan, you will be given the opportunity to make clearer decisions about your personal and professional life. It is not a “cure” but our experience has shown that most people benefit from attending and are able to reclaim parts of their lives that were taken. When was the last time you dedicated 6 days to yourself? Perhaps it's time you rescued yourself and not everyone else around you.
If you are interested in attending WPCR or SOS, or would like to speak to a staff member or someone who has gone through a retreat, please call or complete the Contact page. Let us know if you are a First Responder or Significant Other or Spouse, so you are provided relevant information. To schedule a brief intake interview, call (415) 721-9789. YOUR CALL IS CONFIDENTIAL. The intake, which is done over the phone, assures that the retreat is a good fit for you and that you receive the best treatment for your circumstances.
Once your telephone intake is completed and it has been determined that the retreat is a good fit for you, you will be provided a map and directions. If you are arriving by plane (San Francisco or Oakland Intl airports), a volunteer staff member will pick you up and take you back to the airport. There is no need to rent a car.
For both WCPR and SOS, the retreat begins between 4-5pm on Sunday, and ends by 12noon on the following Friday. A usual day begins at 7am for breakfast followed by a group check-in, educational presentations & videos, small group debriefings, substance abuse education, etc., and may end at 10pm, or even later. The days can be long and exhausting, but very productive.
In Northern California, approximately one and a half hours outside of San Francisco. For confidentiality reasons, the location of the retreats is not provided on this site. Please contact us by telephone or email for more information.
We have found that some of our faith-based participants appreciate a spiritual component in their recovery process. Some participants will disclose or discuss something to a clergy person that they would not to anyone else. Some clients appreciate the fact that there is a pastoral presence, someone who is not evangelizing but simply a compassionate, empathic, and a person who holds confidential privilege. FRSN does not endorse any specific religious tradition.
Other questions
A number of the FRSN first responder staff member's spouses are involved with the FRSN Significant Others and Spouses (SOS) retreat . Those in relationships with someone suffering from work related stress are encouraged to call or email us. A staff member, who is also a spouse or significant other, can help with finding assistance or resources. Visit the Significant Others and Spouses (SOS) retreat page for more information.
FRSN is an all-volunteer program. Everyone from clinicians to peers to chaplains volunteer their time. FRSN's success has been due to the dedication of its volunteers. Some people are able to volunteer for one day while others stay for the entire week. Some simply cook a meal or help with clean up. Whatever is contributed is greatly appreciated. Contact FRSN for more information.
If you would like to volunteer for the WCPR retreat, the basic requirements are as follows:
If you would like to volunteer for the SOS retreat, the basic requirements are as follows:
Clincians
If you are a clinician, call 415-721-9789 and ask for the Clinical Director.
Chaplains
If you are a chaplain, call 415-721-9789 and ask for the Chaplain Director.
If you would like to volunteer for the WCPR retreat, the basic requirements are as follows:
- 5 years emergency service/military experience.
- 2 years of peer support experience, involvement with a critical incident stress management team, or similar experiences.
- Attended a WCPR retreat.
- If you do not have any of the above, Contact FRSN to discuss where you may be able to help.
If you would like to volunteer for the SOS retreat, the basic requirements are as follows:
- Be married to or in a relationship with a First Responder.
- Attended and SOS retreat.
- If you do not have any of the above, Contact FRSN to discuss where you may be able to help.
Clincians
If you are a clinician, call 415-721-9789 and ask for the Clinical Director.
Chaplains
If you are a chaplain, call 415-721-9789 and ask for the Chaplain Director.