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EMS (Emotional - Medical - Support) Chaplaincy & Trauma support (NPO)

is a Christian organisation that operates under the supervision of the Chaplaincy board and the Chaplaincy Commission of South Africa.

 

Some of our chaplains are registered with the ACRP - Association of Christian Religious Practitioners and we also have members registered with The Council for Pastoral and Spiritual Counsellors (CPSC) within the Association of Christian Religious Practitioners (ACRP)

Short background

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Please find a short background on our organization.

E.M.S. Chaplaincy & Trauma Support is a registered, non-profit company, consisting of 360 + members. We are known to and accepted by disaster management - fire & rescue departments, emergency medical services, law enforcement agencies and support services all over South Africa.

 

 Founded 26 March 2015. We are an NPO and NOT government funded.

 

Our members are trained to provide pastoral and emergency trauma support to various organizations’ and members of the public. This organizations include Emergency services – disaster management, Fire Department, Law Enforcement such as SAPS and Metro Police, Traffic Departments, Correctional services and other support organization’s requiring Chaplaincy (pastoral support / care) or Trauma support.

 

Our trained volunteer first responders have the skill, passion and compassion to comfort, support and care for victims off many traumatic life events or criminal actions (support for both victims and relatives) - general pastoral and emotional support.

 

We attend to natural and man-made disasters, to name but a few that we have attended to:

2021 November - George, Western Cape province – Floods

2021 North West province – Quite a few major rail road accidents and devastation farm fires with casualties

Starting 2021 – Mosselbay, Port Alfred, KZN coast line – Close working relations with NSRI

2021 - 2022 – Free State – Numerous devastating veld fires (Farms destroyed) and small plane crashes

2021 - 2022 January to July – Springs, Gauteng – various small airplane crashes with casualties

2022 January – Netcare 911 Heli crash, Staff support

2022 April – KZN Floods with major casualties, declared national disaster. Members sent from Gauteng to KZN

2022 August – Germiston, Gauteng - SAPS Pilatus plane crash with casualties

2022 December – Boksburg, Gauteng, Tanker explosion and the aftermath

2023 February – SA Flooding in all provinces

2023 SAPS helicopter and plane crashes x 3 – Rand airport, Gauteng.

2023 Gas explosion in Angelo Informal settlement, Boksburg, Gauteng– July

2023 4 Light airplane crashes in Gauteng area

2023 December - Arranged a minute of silence memorial at the site of the tanker incident in Boksburg

 

All our members fund their own training and work-related expenses. 

These expenses, to name a few, includes:

Training, Transport costs (Petrol / Diesel and vehicle maintenance), Uniform, Operational / Safety Clothing, Telephone bill (landline and/or mobile), etc.

 

When the organisation does have the necessary funds, we assist and sponsor our members with uniform and insignia, traveling and accommodation funding for our training instructors, general assistance to the public and emergency services (rehydration stations during large incidents) etc  (Donations received and admin fees paid by our members)

We also cover our own expenses for the organisations overheads like telephone (communication), internet, promotional equipment, uniform stock, insignia, vehicle branding.

The last two years we have been able to assist school children with school expenses and camps (within our budget).

 

In 2020 we started our Trauma Buddy (Teenagers 18 – 19 - only is areas where there are trained members to oversee the program) & Junior Trauma Support Program (Young adults 19 – 24), where we start “training and equipping” young adults, between 18 and 24 years of age, who have a passion to help, in the ways of EMS C&TS.  

Limited to 2 JNRs per district. It makes a big difference on a scene if you have JNRs to deal with youngsters (UNDER Snr supervision).

Between 23 and 25 they move up as Trauma Support and with further studies they can then apply to become Chaplains at the age of 25.

 

Our scope of practice is Trauma Support based and NOT professional counselling orientated. We refer all counselling to specialized individuals. The nature of our calls out are sometimes so intense that we cannot deal with them on a long term basis and still continue with other call outs as well.

Although we do have members registered with HPCSA, ACRP, CPSC we do not charge for our First Responder support services. 

 

We Are Volunteer Emotional First Responders and We Sign Up For Duty.

Colossians 3 : 23 & 24

23. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,

24. since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

OUR VISION

To promote a more positive and healthy attitude in EMS, FDP, LEO, support services and their families as well as the community, in order to enhance their over-all mental and spiritual stability in all areas of their lives;

To advocate within the church and business community a greater understanding of the benefits of a Chaplain / Trauma support program;

To collaborate with our community leaders, in order to make our country a safer and more desirable place to live in.

EMS Chaplaincy & Trauma Support will provide emotional support services to not only EMS, FDP, LEO, support services and their families, but to every segment of society throughout the community (government, business, education, media, arts and entertainment, churches and families).

 

EMS Chaplaincy & Trauma Support will provide (or refer) Chaplaincy and Crisis Intervention training to any individual of any race, sex, creed, or religion, in order for them to learn how to provide emotional, spiritual care and practical support to those who are experiencing crisis within their lives.

 

 

NB: As a Christian non-profit organization, we reserve the right to select whom we accept as members. We live and work according to the guidelines of the Christian Bible -  The Word of God

We follow the written Word of God as the only true guideline for our lives.

We can and will not accept any application for membership if the person’s life style does not comply with the prescriptions of the Word of God

This is not discrimination but a Christian Principal as set out in Romans 1

As members of the body of Christ, we are committed to the Christian ethics, spiritual growth, equality, diversity, humanitarian care and support through all we do. We affirm and promote the value, dignity and worth of each person encountered in our ministry by following the model of Jesus Christ.

 

We want EMS C & TS to be “a safe haven of refuge for the hurt, broken and tired”.

We want God to use us to reach out to those who need help and comfort, and to show them that there IS love and support in the dark times we live in, especially when you call on God.

We want people to know that God sent us to be His hands in their hour of need. If they can see THAT, then we will win disciples for Christ...

WHAT WE DO

  • Provide primary and secondary victims of accidents, crimes, natural disasters and trauma scenes a workable structure from where they can limit their perception of threat by giving them useful and accurate information, relevant to their crisis, including physical help and trauma support.

  • We respect ALL faiths and religions and do not force our believes on anyone. We are here to HELP.

 

Assistance, help and support mainly applies to, but is not limited to, the following areas of operation:

  • On scene support for primary and secondary victims.

  • Debriefing and post scene referrals to professional service providers for treatment – where and when needed.

  • We will always put the interests of the victim/s and confidentiality first, and will treat each individual with respect.

  • Response to critical incidents, death notifications, crisis intervention, grief - pastoral counselling, pastoral crisis intervention, biblical instruction, family support, funerals, memorials, weddings, benedictions and invocation.

  • Assistance in general day to day living requirements.

 

Pastoral (general ministry), emergency emotional & physical on scene support and assistance to all EMS, FDP, LEO and support services.

 

All our first responder members are experienced members of the community who serve as volunteers,

trained to a professional standard and are involved with on-going training.

OUR MISSION

“First Responder to the First Responders, carers and the community they / we support”

 

“To promote positive and lasting relationships with fire-fighter & rescue crews, emergency medical crews, law-enforcers, support relief services, their families, and the community, by providing emotional and spiritual care and support when needed, through the training, education and partnering of Chaplains and Trauma Support programs of other departments, churches, organisations and businesses within the community.”

 

No one is confronted with more situations that demoralize and create emotional, mental and spiritual burdens than today’s SOS crews and support relief services. These burdens can affect them, their families, other members of their department, as well as the community.

 

Trained first responders understand the unique environment of both the law enforcement officer, emergency crews and fire fighter and support services and are able to provide guidance, comfort, pastoral counselling, and assistance when called upon.

 

We bear witness to the love and power of God by setting the highest exemplary standards in our conduct and behaviour.

 

We will assist in times of loss, confusion, depression, and grief to all.

We will provide emotional and spiritual support to all people, regardless of race, sex, creed, or religion.

 

 

 

We will partner up with any other organisations in times of crisis.

We have seen that God brings people together in crisis ministry,

like Moses and Aaron.

When the one can't hold his arms up any more, the other is there to support. ‎

We SHALL BE the feet and mouthpiece of the Lord God to all who ask and are willing to accept help.

 

We are NOT here to be seen by people –

         We are here to see people through.

Not because we CAN but because we CARE.  

 Soul Guardians / Soul Medix

 For People Of All Faiths… And None                                            

#soulmedix

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