The Objectives of Life Line Chaplaincy are:
1. To be available to help first responders deal with traumatic events and scenarios, such as:
- Sandy Hook/Newtown and similar events;
- Terrorist Attacks;
- Loss of life (particularly involving children) from:
– Fire;
– Accidents;
– Violence;
- Death of immediate family members (the Stamford Police Chaplain ministered to 11 SPD families who lost loved ones, directly leading or participating in seven funeral, memorial, or graveside services, in the first 10 months of 2014);
- Serious Illness
;
- Traumatic investigations:
– Computer Crimes Against
Children (child porn);– Child abuse/neglect;
– Sexual trafficking of children;
– Homicides;
– Suicides;
- Serious work-related injury;
- Suicide of family member;
- Coping with PTSD, through one-on-one listening, but also bringing in guest speakers/counselors for formal and informal gatherin
gs.
2. To cultivate relationships with first responders so that they feel comfortable calling when there is a need by:
- Going on “ride alongs” with officers;
- Meeting informally over breakfast/lunch;
- Keeping regular hours at HQ.
3. To strengthen marriages and families by:
- Providing online marriage resources for first responders and spouses;
- Distributing free literature designed to help spouses understand each other;
- Offering free marriage/family seminars for first responders.
4. To provide a “Ministry of Presence” by just being on site with first responders when they encounter a crisis scenario.
5. To develop a network of trained chaplains available to serve the various municipal departments in SW Fairfield and SE Westchester Counties as volunteers or in part-time capacities.
6. To cultivate an atmosphere of respect and appreciation in local communities for their first responders.