Critical incident response

What is Critical Incident Response?

Critical Incident Response (CIR) services are a specialized professional response to a workplace crisis, a traumatic event or employee victimization. Examples of such incidents include:

• Accidents or injuries
• Accidental death
• Violence or attempted violence
• Robbery
• Suicide
• Natural disaster
• A colleague's terminal illness
• The death of a colleague
• Termination of employment

Traumatic events can be very stressful and can affect witnesses, co-workers and investigators. Everyone reacts differently to critical incidents.

Sometimes called crisis management or traumatic event support services, CIR services are tailored to the workplace and the situation. The BC Public Service Agency provides CIR services through its Employee & Family Assistance Services (EFAS) contract. This is a different service than the counselling services offered to staff through EFAS.

Mental health injuries

Like physical injuries or illness, if a worker reports missing time from work or seeks medical attention for a mental health injury originating from their workplace, it must be reported via the Safety Incident Reporting Portal (SIRP)

Access CIR services

Call TELUS Health directly at 1-800-655-5004 and select Option 3. Your call will be answered 24 hours a day, seven days per week to assist your workplace.

There is a charge for CIR services. The ministry or agency representative who requests the service will receive a bill through the BC Public Service Agency. The minimum cost for CIR Services is $525 ($175 per hour, three hour minimum). Services are $175 per hour, per counsellor beyond the first three hours. Additional travel costs may also be charged depending on the location of the service.

When to access CIR services

Common examples of incidents where CIR services can be used include (but are not limited to):

• Layoffs or terminations
• Assault or threatening behaviour in the workplace
• Death or serious injury of an employee or client