Beginning in January 2019, the Tennessee Department of Health, in collaboration with the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, established the Tennessee Disaster Mental Health Strike Team through the Tennessee Federation of Fire Chaplains (TFFC). The TFFC is providing training and management of the Strike Team which includes a State-Wide deployment-capable cadre of trained Chaplain, Mental Health, and Emergency Service Peer Professionals. Team training events will be held periodically for new members.
The Strike Team is a cadre of trained Chaplains, Mental Health, and Emergency Service Peer Professionals, who will serve specific regions with two primary purposes.
- To provide Mental Health First Aid, Crisis Intervention, and initial mental health triage for citizens and emergency responders following major disasters.
- To provide a timely initial referral to Licensed Mental Health Care Professionals — including immediate emergency referrals when appropriate.
This team in no way displaces or replaces mental health services. However, this team is highly trained in mental health screening, mental health first aid, crisis intervention, and most importantly: effective referral. Using this Strike Team concept, the team is able to respond and refer to a mental health agency that is appropriate and available in a timely manner.
In accordance with the mandate from the Strike Team Leadership Council members from the following backgrounds are encouraged and invited to be part of this elite team:
Licensed Mental Health Professionals
Licensed Emergency Medical Professionals
Commission Certified Firefighter Professionals
POST Certified Law Enforcement Professionals
TARS Certified Rescue Professionals
Licensed Medical Care Professionals
Board Certified Chaplain Professionals
Certified Education Professionals
Crisis Intervention Specialists
Other Professionals that will add to the strength of the team
If you are interested in being a part of the TENNESSEE DISASTER MENTAL HEALTH STRIKE TEAM
please fill out the application and send it along with the requested documents to:
TFFC - TNDMHST Registrar
908 Kimberlin Heights Road
Knoxville, TN 37920-8926
Tennessee Emergency Service Chaplains Association
Tennessee Disaster Mental Health Strike Team