Thom has worked with emergency responders in many aspects from the aspect of a chaplain to helping them through various crisis, from their work and also through their life. He is also a correspondent for one of the fire service periodicals, trying to assist in experiences that firefighters go through.
Firefighter suicide and mental health
The discussion discusses an introduction to suicide, including the warning signs. General information about mental health issues, substance abuse, alcohol use and depression as well as different types of stress management. Particular attention is paid to the amount of those who have taken their own lives compared to Line Of Duty Deaths.
Introduction to Crisis Intervention
The discussion is primarily for new firefighters. Topics that we go over are: the signs of critical incident stress, stress management, mental health awareness, suicide awareness, stigma free, substance abuse, resources that are available.
Chaplaincy
Introduced hospital chaplains to other forms of chaplaincy. Concentrated on the roles of fire chaplain, including condolence calls, crisis intervention, ceremonies, and supporting the firefighter and his family.
Exploring Chaplaincy in Other Settings
A panel discussion exploring other paths of chaplaincy service (i.e., corrections, disaster relief, hospital, military/veterans)
Discussed what spiritual care is in a disaster setting, what we do, who our clients are, how we facilitate care and how it is evolving, including spiritual care for the spiritual care providers.
This was at the 6th Annual Police Chaplain Conference for the state of New Jersey, sponsored by The Police Chaplain Program and New Jersey State Office of the Attorney General
PAST ORGANIZATIONAL CONSULTATIONS, TRAINING AND INTERVIEWS
Speaking engagements
Police Chaplain Conference (NJ) - The Police Chaplain Program, State of New
Jersey Office of Attorney
New Jersey New York Volunteer Firefighters Association
South Bergen Fire Chiefs Association
Bergen Passaic Exempt Firemen's Association
Bergen County Law & Public Safety Institute
Mahwah Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Bergen Regional Medical Center
Maywood Fire Department - Maywood, NJ
Thom also trained chaplains for two organizations on disaster chaplaincy and is also an instrutor for a third agency to instruct chaplains about resiliency for law enforcement.