Date of Conferral

6-28-2025

Degree

Doctor of Social Work (DSW)

School

Social Work

Advisor

Jonathan Scherch

Abstract

Firefighters are routinely exposed to critical incidents, potentially resulting in mental health consequences. Critical incident stress debriefing (CISD) is a common postcritical incident intervention used among fire departments in the United States to address these mental health impacts. Understanding the perspectives of firefighters’ experience with CISD can contribute information to the social work profession, may engage firefighters in the discussion surrounding their mental health needs, and could provide effective postcritical incident coping strategies. The purpose and research questions of this study were focused through a vicarious trauma lens was to understand firefighters’ perspectives and experiences of CISD, explore CISD trauma mitigation, and identify beneficial coping strategies. A basic qualitative inquiry using semistructured interviews was conducted with 21 full/part-time firefighters in Illinois. Using a thematic analysis and inductive reasoning 12 themes were identified: (a) negative, (b) positive, (c) benefits of the group, (d) normalize thoughts and feelings, (e) supportive environment, (f) opportunity to talk, (g) hard to open up, (h) facilitator, (i) sayings that helped shape perspective, (j) warning signs, (k) resources available, and (l) cannot recall/none. Recommendations include developing knowledge into effective facilitator skills, and continued development and dissemination of effective coping strategies. Investigating this topic could foster positive social change by enriching understanding of the CISD process and its efficacy, promoting awareness, redefining stigma among firefighters, and contributing to the ongoing development of social worker knowledge regarding firefighter mental health and interventions after critical incidents.

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