Arlington County Fire Department Needs Local Clergy

By Linda Busetti
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 7/4/02)

The aftermath of last Sept. 11 at the Pentagon only magnified the problem of "rear-view mirror syndrome" for area firefighters Arlington County Fire Department Battalion Chief Shawn Kelley told Arlington clergy assembled at Fire Station 9 last week.

Each year, the Arlington County Fire Department receives 23,000 calls for assistance. Kelley explained firefighters are "emotionally torn up" whenever they have to leave victims behind at an accident or fire scene.

In an effort "to not only provide essential emergency and non-emergency services, but also to care," Arlington Fire Chief Edward T. Plaugher (pictured at right above) outlined plans for Operation C.A.R.E. — Community Assistance Response Effort — a "cutting-edge program that will provide for the humanitarian needs of people experiencing emotional and physical trauma."

Plaugher said the Fairfax County Fire Department has already made a "partnership" commitment. The Fairfax County fire chief has offered Arlington the use of a van for the program. Plaugher sees the potential for even greater cooperation among neighboring jurisdictions noting Arlington, Fairfax and Alexandria are "linked by the same dispatch system."

Modeled on Phoenix’s C.A.P. (Community Assistance Program), C.A.R.E. will "take what they’ve done to the next level by including ministry," Plaugher said.

Two currently underserved groups — families, friends, survivors or witnesses of tragedies and individuals experiencing psychiatric or substance abuse crises — will be the focus of Operation C.A.R.E.

Plaugher stressed the fire department’s commitment to training volunteers who will provide 24-hour "on-scene crisis intervention, emotional support, referral services and assistance." Response team vans will include members of the clergy and behavioral health specialists.

Plaugher said funding for C.A.R.E. may be available from Lions Clubs, District 24A.

Arlington County Fire Department Chaplain Rev. Leonard N. Smith presented a PowerPoint presentation to the assembled Baptist, Methodist and Episcopalian pastors and parish leaders. Rev. Smith said he was "presenting a skeleton of a plan in an attempt to add some muscle." What Rev. Smith wants from area clergy, he said, is a commitment of time to serve on a steering committee to guide the program’s progress and help recruiting both clergy and behavioral health specialists.

When asked about a timeline for the program, Rev. Smith said, "By September, we want the first van rolling."

When it is up and running, Operation C.A.R.E. will deliver services not only via van response teams, but also through a 24-hour Helpline and Web site.

Rev. Smith said the program will begin with "20 committed people on eight-hour shifts. Nights and weekends will be the biggest need."

To volunteer for C.A.R.E. response team vans or the steering committee, contact Chaplain Smith at 703/228-3600, Box 9404. 

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