Critical Incident:
A critical incident is any event which is extraordinary and produces significant reactions. These events may overwhelm the usual normal defenses and coping patterns of emergency personnel, often challenging the ability to function either at home or on the job.

Highly stressful situations may include:

• Serious injury or death of an emergency services personnel at an incident

• Suicide of a co-worker

• Mass casualty incidents

• Traumatic deaths and/or any grave situation involving children

• Hostage taking of emergency personnel

• Prolonged situations that have negative outcomes

• Death of a significant community member

• Injury or death of family member or close friend

• ... And many more incidents

What is Critical Incident Stress?
Jeffrey Mitchell, found of the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, defines critical incident stress as: "Any situation faced by emergency personnel that causes them to experience unusually strong emotional reactions which have the potential to interfere with their ability to function, either at the scene, or later"

The effects of Critical Incident Stress may be seen in a person's behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and physical responses to overwhelming stress. A work environment which consistently manifests low to moderate stress and occasionally produces high stress levels can cause a serious emotional reaction.