Video Reading: The Need for Fire/EMS Chaplains

👨‍🚒 Fire Chaplaincy Training – Introduction

Speaker: Henry Reyenga
Guest: Reverend Dr. David C. Baker

🙏 Welcome and Purpose

Henry: I'm Henry Reyenga, and with me is Reverend Dr. David C. Baker. We're going to do a fire chaplaincy course—specific training for fire chaplains, especially volunteer or part-time ones. I welcome you.

David: Thank you. I think we're going to have an amazing time.

👤 About Dr. David C. Baker

David: I'm a retired hospital chaplain. Most of my career was spent caring for hospital staff, patients, and families. I was originally ordained as a Lutheran pastor and served for years in parish ministry. I later pursued training in family systems to better understand relationships, which led me into hospital ministry. After retirement, I found a new calling with a local fire company and began learning how to be a fire chaplain.

Henry: That sounds like quite a transition—from hospitals to the chaos of fire and EMS.

David: In many ways, not too different. Hospitals involve trauma, chaos, suffering, and death—much like emergency services. My hospital ministry focused on equipping staff and being present for them, which has translated well into my fire chaplaincy role.

🚒 The Role of the Fire Chaplain

Henry: Many of you taking this course may be volunteers considering fire chaplaincy. It can seem daunting, but through prayer and training, you’ll gain confidence and competence. Firefighters and EMS workers face daily trauma, crisis, and burnout. Chaplains are anchors in these storms. David, how do you see that?

David: There’s so much chaos in fire and EMS. People face life-and-death issues—physical and emotional. Sometimes things don’t go as planned, and responders can feel like they’ve failed. Without support, they may turn to addiction or suffer strained family relationships. Chaplains offer presence, love, and affirmation. We become the calm in the storm.

Henry: So a volunteer chaplain can truly make a difference.

David: Absolutely. Often chaplains are only seen praying at banquets, but their role goes deeper. It’s pastoral—emotional and spiritual support for those serving the community. Many fire chaplains are lay volunteers who simply need training to serve more effectively.

🌎 How David Found CLI

Henry: You're from Maryland and came here to Christian Leaders Institute in Michigan with your wife. How did we connect?

David: We were trying to develop an effective training program for volunteer chaplains in Maryland. Most of our chaplains work full-time elsewhere. I searched online for affordable, practical options and found CLI. It felt like a perfect fit.

Henry: We’re certainly excited to partner in this.

📖 Biblical Foundations of Chaplaincy

Henry: Let’s talk about the biblical foundation of chaplaincy for those new to this field.

1. Presence of Christ – "I am with you always"

David: A chaplain’s primary job is simply being with people—befriending them and walking with them through their journeys. Our constant presence provides hope, grace, and encouragement.

2. Ministry of Comfort – 2 Corinthians 1:3–4

David: Those who know God's grace are able to share it with those struggling. Through presence and support, chaplains extend the comfort we ourselves have received.

3. Serving the Hurting – The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37)

David: Fire and EMS workers are modern-day Good Samaritans. Like the Samaritan who helped a stranger, they serve people they don’t know—extinguishing fires, offering medical aid, and stabilizing crises.

Henry: That’s such a powerful parallel.

4. Shepherding – Bear One Another’s Burdens (Galatians 6:2)

David: We journey with fire and EMS workers, helping them through the impossible situations they face. By sharing their burdens, we offer hope and solidarity.

Henry Reyenga:
EMS context—let's talk about that a little bit.
Daily exposure to accidents, trauma, death—there's a high risk of PTSD, depression, and moral injury. Families feel the weight of unprecedented schedules and stresses. There's a deep need for confidential, trusted, spiritual support. I mean, you go through this list, and you think: Whoa. Every single firehouse needs chaplains now.

Rev. Dr. David C. Baker:
Amen—and even more than one, right?

Henry:
Yes!

Dr. Baker:
There's obviously a real need. The things our EMS and fire personnel deal with are very traumatic and unusual. Most people go through life without a whole lot of trauma—but these folks are exposed to it on a weekly basis. They’re having to deal with that. Sometimes it becomes overwhelming, and then it plays out at home.
Because of their schedules, and the things they've seen, they don’t sleep well. It affects relationships. They might not treat their spouses or loved ones as well as they could—because they’re stressed out.

So to give them an opportunity to process some of that stuff… to know their dysfunction is natural—because they’re dealing with unnatural, horrible situations—is really important.

Henry:
It’s like they leak oil.

Dr. Baker:
Yes, exactly!

🧠 Ministry Sciences and the Role of the Chaplain

Henry:
So as we think about Ministry Sciences observation, let’s define Ministry Sciences again.
It’s really bringing in the learning of psychology, sociology, even philosophy—but seeing them through the lens of a biblical ministry worldview.

Dr. Baker will share Ministry Sciences insights he's observed over the years in hospital and fire chaplaincy work.

Let’s start with a few key observations:

🕊️ Image of God

Henry:
Every responder is a whole person—a soul. A soul with a physical body and a spirit. These are image bearers. But trauma and brokenness—because of the Fall—affect responders daily.
They bring that home.

✝️ Means of Grace

Henry:
Chaplains bring prayer, Scripture, presence—the "ministry of presence." Quiet. Consistent. Building resiliency.

And yet, there must be guardrails: confidentiality, respect for freedom, building credibility.
How do you reflect on that through your career?

Dr. Baker:
These are wonderful times. We know a lot about how to help each other… if we actually do it.

The sciences—whether psychology, anthropology, or sociology—can equip us to do this task.
It’s largely relational. It’s about listening, helping them feel understood, normalizing the chaos, and helping them know they’re still loved, forgiven, and that there’s a new day tomorrow.

🔁 Normalizing the Abnormal

Henry:
That’s a powerful idea—normalizing. Because what EMS or firefighters experience doesn't feel normal at all.

Dr. Baker:
Exactly. It’s abnormal and horrible—like seeing someone crushed in a wreck. But the way they respond to it is actually a normal human reaction.

If chaplains help them talk about it, debrief, and defuse the emotional impact, they can feel okay about themselves—and begin to cope more effectively.

🧯 The Chaplain’s Role

Henry:
Let’s break this down:

• On the scene: Prayer, presence, calm in crisis for responders.

• For families: Counseling, debriefing, encouragement, supporting marriages and children.

• For communities: Memorials, funerals, and services.

There’s a reason training is so important.

Dr. Baker:
Absolutely. Part of it is understanding fire and EMS culture—the kind of people who choose to serve in this way.

It’s about having skills, but also being present, known, and trusted.
When they trust you, they’ll open up and tell you where they’re hurting. That opportunity is earned.

You must spend time with the men and women in your company, letting them get to know you as a safe, confidential person. Many are afraid to be vulnerable—worried it’ll come back to bite them, harm their career, or hinder promotions.

So they carry trauma silently. And that leads to drinking, risky behavior, and broken relationships.
We want to keep our personnel healthy, strong, and coping.

📈 Chaplaincy Makes a Measurable Difference

Henry:
Have you seen the difference? Has that been studied?

Dr. Baker:
Yes—it’s shown time and time again.
Fire and EMS literature confirms it: Having a safe person to process with helps. The role of a volunteer chaplain is critical and impactful.

🔥 Trained Like Firefighters

Henry:
In some ways, it’s like a volunteer firefighter. They still get training, even though they’re not paid.
You would never want an untrained firefighter.

And the soul—the spiritual and emotional existence—needs care that is intelligent.

Dr. Baker:
In many ways, the chaplain is the firefighter to the firefighter.
We’re the ones who help extinguish the pain and suffering on the inside.

So yes, we need training. We need basic listening and ministry skills.
We need to be competent—not to cause harm, but to effectively support our brothers and sisters in their calling.

🔥 Fire Chaplaincy Training: Why It Matters

Henry Reyenga:
So—why does it matter?
Chaplains reduce stress and strengthen resilience. They help prevent burnout and foster long-term care.
They model Christ’s compassion and affirm the dignity of others as image bearers of Christ.

Dr. David C. Baker:
Exactly—like you said before, we’re the spiritual firefighters for the firefighters.

🙏 Vital Volunteers, Eternal Impact

Henry:
To conclude:

• Fire and EMS chaplains are vital volunteers.

• They embody Christ’s presence in trauma.

• They integrate Ministry Sciences for holistic care.

So this isn’t just quoting three Bible verses—it’s about understanding what the Bible says in a Ministry Sciences-informed way.
And they bless responders, families, and communities.

🧪 Real-World Application: A Case Study

Henry:
As we wrap up this first session, what are some takeaways? Could you give us a case study—something from your experience?

Dr. Baker:
Sure.
There was a house fire—middle of the night. The family is standing outside in their pajamas. They're scared, confused, and overwhelmed.

The chaplain—this time, it was a he—was called to respond. And in that moment, he served as a safe and meaningful presence. He helped stabilize the family emotionally. He assured them they were being cared for. He served as a liaison between them and the fire company managing the scene.

He also helped connect them with support—family members, or members of their faith community.
That’s one vital role of a chaplain: on the scene care.

But back at the firehouse—that’s just as important. The chaplain watches and observes the fire and EMS personnel.

When someone starts to withdraw—maybe a person who was usually joking and lighthearted becomes quiet and withdrawn—that’s a red flag.
It could be trauma. It could be something deeper connected to their experience as a volunteer or career responder.

Having a chaplain there who’s present, observant, and caring helps protect not just the victims—but also those trying to help the victims.

📚 Final Blessing and Commission

Henry:
So welcome to this class.
May God bless you as you go through this learning.

And may God use it to challenge you to train to become a confident, competent, and credible fire chaplain.

Dr. Baker:
Very good.