Kentucky Community Crisis Response Team Providing Critical Incident Stress Management to First Responders and Communities

Kentucky Emergency Services Peer Support

Purpose: To provide CISM services during the acute phase following a critical incident to prevent the destructive effects of emotional trauma, job related stress, and accelerate recovery from critical incidents before stress reactions negatively impact an ESP's performance, career, health, and family.

The Kentucky Emergency Services Peer Support (KESPS) team provides the entire spectrum of services from pre-incident training, acute crisis response, and post incident support to emergency services personnel (ESP) across the Commonwealth. KCCRT recruits, trains, and credentials experienced ESP professionals to become peer members of the statewide KESPS team. Team members receive training in providing multi-component critical incident stress management (CISM) interventions and suicide awareness and assessment.

See the KESPS Program brochure.

KESPS FAQs

What is KESPS?

It is the Kentucky Emergency Services Peer Support team. It is a specialized peer support team of the Kentucky Community Crisis Response Team (KCCRT) that serves Fire, EMS, dispatch and SAR. This team, as part of the KCCRT, is under the direction fo the Kentucky Community Crisis Response Board (KCCRB).

What does KCCRT do?

The KCCRT recruits, trains and credentials experienced fire, ems and dispatch professionals to be peer members of the statewide KESPS team.

What does KESPS do?

KESPS provides the entire spectrum of services of pre-incident training, acute crisis response, and post-incident support to emergency services personnel (ESP) across the Commonwealth.

What is the purpose of KESPS?

To provide CISM services during the acute phase following a critical incident to prevent the destructive effects of emotional trauma, job related stress, and accelerate recovery from critical incidents before stress reactions negatively impact an ESP's performance, career, health, and family.

What are the qualifications to join KESPS?

1) Have a minimum of five (5) years of experience in emergency services.

2) Be a member in good standing with an emergency services agency. *

3) Be available and willing to respond when requested.

4) Have had Involvement in a critical incident.

5) Provide a signed Letter of Support from agency leadership certifying the applicant's ability to participate in training and response activities as a member of an emergency services agency..

Note: Any person who has received an adverse action, an unfavorable fitness for duty evaluation, notice(s) of performance problems/deficiencies, or an overall unsatisfactory performance rating are not be eligible for consideration.

What are the training requirements to join KESPS?

Team members shall complete the following trainings:

Online Training:

FEMA's ICS – 100: Introduction to the Incident Command System (3 hours, online)
FEMA's IS – 700: Introduction to the National Incident Management System (3 hours, online)

In class four (4) day training:

Peer Support Training (KESPS Orientation / Suicide Awareness and Assessment - 8 hours)
Assisting Individuals in Crisis (13 hours)
Group Crisis Intervention (14 hours)

What is the cost of training?

The FEMA online courses are free. The instructor-led training offered by the KCCRT is provided at no charge to applicants recommended for KESPS membership by the KCCRT Membership Committee.

How do I join KESPS?

All individuals interested in joining the KCCRT as a peer support team member must complete the application process. The items required for KESPS membership consideration include the application; a signed Letter of Support from an immediate supervisor, chief, or other command staff; a resume documenting at least five (5) years of emergency services experience in either fire, EMS, dispatch, and / or Search and Rescue; and, a forward-facing, color photo of the applicant against a plain background.

Once the application and supporting documentation have been received, the applicant will be scheduled for an interview. The interview will take place with a panel of KCCRT representatives,, including at least one peer member. Interviews may be held in person, by conference call or by video conferencing. Upon the conclusion of the interview, the panel will make a recommendation on whether or not the applicant is recommended to attend the four-day training.

Upon completion of the training a recommendation on the applicant's membership will be made to the Executive Director .

If I join KESPS, what will my commitment be for responses?

When an emergency services agency requests a response the KESPS team members within the corresponding KCCRT region will be contacted first. Recognizing that team members are volunteers with careers and family obligations it is possible that team members closest to the incident are not available. When the closest team members are not available, the search for available KESPS members will expand out into other nearby counties and regions. In the event of a large-scale incident a state-wide alert may be utlized to quickly identify available team members.

Please note that a timely response from all requested team members is essential to effectively and efficiently coordinate a response.

What if my Fire department, EMS or Dispatch Center wants to train several people?

If your agency is interested in having the training offered internally to multiple people, please complete the Training Request Form. Once received, the Training Coordinator will contact your agency.

Join KESPS

Team Membership levels are based on education requirements, regional involvement, and KESPS response experience. Team members advance through membership levels by taking KCCRT classes, attending KESPS meetings, and going on KESPS responses. Each volunteer is credentialed to serve in 4 year terms.

Download the Instruction Packet for more details on how to complete the application process.

To apply for a KESPS Team Membership, please complete the components below.

Application

Complete the online application. Additional documents required, including your resume and recent photo.

Training

Complete a series of online and classroom courses. Learn more about courses and view upcoming course offerings.

Documentation

A letter of support, signed by your agency, shows your commitment and is required to complete the application.

KESPS

​​​​​​​​Kentucky Emergency Services Peer Support

KESPS FAQs

Join KESPS

Kentucky Emergency Services Peer Support