The Attack on America

Here is a quick update on the CISM activities surrounding the terrorist attacks on America. There is a great deal going on and it is impossible to provide a full report on everything. So, hopefully, this summary will do for now.

· Phone calls for a wide range of issues regarding the attacks continue to pour into the foundation headquarters in Ellicott City, Maryland. Staff has worked many additional hours to manage the unusual influx.

· Some CISM teams have been deployed for specific and limited requests to provide CISD and other CISM services in New York, Washington, DC and Pennsylvania. Since so many operations personnel are still engaged in investigations or in rescue and recovery efforts, most group interventions are still out of place.

· The foundation has managed numerous requests for media interviews and has worked diligently to make sure accurate information is provided to the public.

· Numerous articles and guidelines for assisting people in crisis have been put up on our web site. We strongly urge you to spread the word that this material exists and that people can access it and download it for distribution to those who may find it beneficial. We are receiving many thousands of additional hits on the website since the attacks occurred.

· We have tasked numerous ICISF members to provide written documents, consultations, guidance and one-on-one support. Those efforts will continue. In the meantime, if anyone has anything that they feel is helpful for people to read on the web site they should send it electronically to us at the foundation headquarters. Permission to use the item should be given to the foundation.

· ICISF is working with FEMA to produce a video to provide information on the psychological aspects of the attacks and the survival mechanisms that can be used to manage the after effects.

Keep tuning into the web site. We will have more information on it on a regular basis.

Best to all of you,

Jeffrey T. Mitchell, Ph.D., CTS

President

ICISF

9/25/01