MIN 233 - Fire/EMS Chaplaincy (1 Credit)
مخطط الموضوع
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Fire/EMS Chaplaincy (1 Credit)
👨🏫 Instructor: Rev. David C. Baker PhD with Rev. Henry Reyenga
Course Summary
The Fire/EMS Chaplain Training Course equips chaplains to serve with competence, compassion, and biblical wisdom in the unique culture of the fire service, preparing them to provide spiritual presence at crisis scenes, support responder wellness, navigate trauma and multi-faith contexts, and minister within the FEMA Incident Command System.
Course Description
Firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics serve on the front lines of crisis—arriving first at fires, accidents, and medical emergencies where life can change in a matter of seconds. In those moments, physical rescue is urgent, but so is spiritual presence. The Fire/EMS Chaplain Training Course equips volunteer, part-time, and full-time chaplains to serve with competence, compassion, and credibility in the unique culture of the fire service.
This comprehensive course introduces students to the need for chaplains, the culture of the Fire/EMS community, and the challenges responders face, including trauma, suicide risk, stigma, and wellness struggles. Students will learn the spiritual and pastoral roles of the chaplain, how to function at emergency scenes as a psycho-social-spiritual safety officer, and how to practice member observation and referral when signs of distress appear. Special focus is given to the FEMA Incident Command System (ICS), ensuring chaplains understand how to serve effectively within emergency management structures.
The course emphasizes the ministry of presence—the simple but profound act of showing up at the firehouse, attending meetings, and “hanging out” to build trust. Students will also receive training in funeral guidelines for Fire/EMS services, comparative religion issues, and offering spiritual support in multi-faith contexts.
Through video lectures, academic readings, case studies, and quizzes, learners will gain practical skills rooted in biblical wisdom and ministry sciences. By the end of the course, students will be prepared to embody Christ’s love in high-stakes moments, walking alongside Fire/EMS professionals and their families with courage, humility, and care.
Course Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:- Explain the need and role of chaplains in Fire/EMS settings.
- Understand the culture of the firehouse, including the dynamics of gallows humor and peer bonding.
- Recognize the emotional and spiritual toll of trauma and repeated exposure to crisis.
- Identify suicide risk factors, wellness challenges, and strategies for stigma reduction.
- Serve effectively in spiritual roles within stations and at emergency crisis scenes.
- Integrate chaplaincy into the FEMA ICS system with professionalism.
- Practice the ministry of availability by cultivating presence and relational trust.
- Conduct Fire/EMS funeral services with dignity and pastoral sensitivity.
- Navigate comparative religion contexts, offering respectful support in multi-faith environments.
Who Should Enroll
This course is designed for volunteer chaplains, part-time or full-time ministers, and lay leaders who feel called to serve in the Fire/EMS community. It is ideal for those seeking ordination with the Christian Leaders Alliance, as well as anyone wanting to combine pastoral care with frontline emergency service ministry.
Assignments: View all video lectures. After viewing all readings and lectures for the unit, take the quiz based on the lectures and readings (100% of grade). You may refer back to them as you take the quizzes. The quizzes have a 75-minute time limit.
Grading Scale:
A 93-100% A- 90-92% B+ 87-89% B 83-86% B- 80-82% C+ 77-79% C 73-76% C- 70-72% D+ 67-69% D 63-66% D- 60-62% F 0-59%
Your average for the course must be at least 60%. Otherwise, you will fail the class and will receive no credit.
Deadline: You have 180 days to finish the course. Complete all assignments before the final deadline, or you will be automatically unenrolled, and all coursework will be removed. You will have to start over and retake the class to receive credit.
Final Feedback Survey: The last assignment will ask for your feedback regarding this course. As you study and watch videos, please note any suggestions or issues you may have noticed to improve this course for students in the future.
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