Donald R. Howell

Executive Director

ICISF

As you view the previous messages by Jeffery T. Mitchell, Ph.D. CTS, ICISF President Emeritus, and Mark J. Maggio, Ph.D., Chairman, ICISF Board of Directors, I think that it is important to note the significance of the titles selected by each, "Change and Growth" and "A New Era".

The last twenty (20) months, since September 11, 2001, has been a remarkable period of unprecedented Change and Growth within ICISF as we do indeed enter into A New Era within the field of Critical Incident Stress Management and Early Intervention. The demand for these services has never been greater, the diversity of the individuals served continues to expand and the opportunity to review and discuss CISM in diverse open venues continues to proliferate. I see this as an "Opportunity" for those involved in this field to be counted and truly make a difference.

My association with Dr. Mitchell goes back thirty (30) years starting with our common interest and my vocation within the Fire/Rescue Service. During this time, his interest, empathy and passion for those in the Emergency Services professions and the stresses they endure, and personal desire to make a difference, became his mission in life. His conceptual view of these challenges has now expanded into areas that did not come to mind years ago. To that end, and at considerable personal sacrifice, he has achieved that goal of truly ‘making a difference’.

It is now time to allow a "Change" for Jeff, to give him time to be with his wife and children, to continue his academic pursuits with his University, to provide personal time, but to also maintain an integral position within ICISF. No longer burdened with administrative functions, Jeff will still devote essentially the same number of hours to ICISF, but in different capacities. While he will be presenting at limited ICISF conferences and speakers bureau presentations, his greatest future contributions shall be his writings and formal presentations at major conferences and to regional/national/international agencies. Dr. George S. Everly, Jr., Ph.D., CTS, ICISF CEO Emeritus, also has been fulfilling these same essential and imperative functions for some time now.

This "Change" is making way for "Growth" within the field of CISM/Early Intervention. Where Dr. Mitchell in the past would have taken the lead in promoting Crisis Management programs on the local/regional level, it is now the State CISM Network Coordinators, Administrators, Managers, Directors, CISM Teams, ICISF Liaison Coordinators, Trained Trainers, as well as countless other knowledgeable peers and professionals, that now provide this valuable information and direction. I see that as healthy, essential and a clear sign of "Growth".

Where does all this lead? It leads to "A New Era" and an "Opportunity" for each and every one of you to carry the torch that Jeff has proudly displayed for all these years. An "Opportunity" for you to promote the value of a well defined and disciplined CISM/Early Intervention Team. An "Opportunity" for you to provide factual information where a void and/or misinformation may exist. An "Opportunity" for you to stand up and be counted, to say and demonstrate that CISM/Early Intervention does make a difference.

Yes, as we look back over the years of CISM and ICISF, there has been a "Change", there has been "Growth", for this is truly "A New Era". It is now up to each and every one of you to seize the "Opportunity" that the field of CISM, ICISF and Dr. Mitchell have provided you.

Warmest regards,

Donald R. Howell

Executive Director, ICISF

April 2003