by Ann Mort

POLICE AND FIRE JOIN FORCES TO SHARE CHAPLAINS

Peel back the layers of bureaucracy, take off the titles and the uniforms. Scrape away that veneer of police cynicism and firefighter callousness – there, underneath it all, are real, hurtable people who sometimes need a friend to just listen. Police and firefighters are very glad to have chaplains on duty with that special ability to listen as a friend and help as a professional when needed the most.

Since the police and fire departments began in Middletown, there have been special people who served as unofficial chaplains – people with names like Claude Robold, Garr Davis and Rev Hux.

During the past five years, an official chaplaincy program has been in effect for the Police Department with four chaplains on duty a total of 300 hours in 2007.

According to Fire Chief Steve Botts, “Last year, while marching in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration with Chief Schwarber and Pastor Ferrell, we discussed how our two departments might share a chaplaincy.  We knew such a program would help us take better care of our people. We could also improve communication and connection to the community we serve.  We are excited about it becoming a reality.”

For the past two months, both Police and Fire  Departments have been sharing the four veteran official chaplains: Pastor Chad Slifer of Four Corners Church, Pastor Lamar Ferrell of Berachah Baptist Church, Pastor Wilton Blake of Bethel AME Church and Reserve Chaplain, Pastor Roger Green of Grace Baptist Church. The men are on call 24/7/365 to help their friends on the force.  Working with liaison officers Police Lieutenant Leanne Hughes and Fire Lieutenant Todd Day, these tireless men perform a valuable service to the community.  Since police and fire units are often called to the same scene, it seemed reasonable to join forces in the chaplaincy program. Only recently were the chaplains introduced to firefighters as a part of a training session, but already they are being sought out for private talks by firefighters and are truly considered part of the family.

As Lamar Ferrell (they use no official titles) put it “We are first and foremost here for the men and women of the force and their families. Secondarily, we minister to the community needs.” That community need sometimes takes the form of being with officers who must notify next of kin when a death happens or counseling others involved in a traumatic event.

Joining the two departments together results in similar but slightly different situations.  Police often deal with behavior issues – crime, rowdiness, etc. while the Fire and EMS units deal with conditions – fire, injury, illness.  Typically, a chaplain may ride along with a police officer – one on one.  At the fire department the chaplain may drop in at the firehouse and just be available for anyone who wants to talk or, if a call comes in, ride along on an emergency run. “The chaplains remind us the world is not all bad, said Lt. Hughes."

Chief of Police Greg Schwarber agreed.  “The chaplaincy program has become an integral part of our organization, and has become a model for other departments.  We were recently contacted by Monroe PD for information about starting a similar program.  Our chaplains have my deepest respect. I admire the work they do with the officers and the community.”

There are no prayer meetings or choir practice. Middletown’s chaplains perform a different kind of service for their uniformed flock.  A chaplain is first a friend, second a counselor and third a clergyman – none do any recruiting to their own churches. Many of the members of the force do not know which churches their chaplains represent.

Pastor Ferrell said, “We are different birds.”  Chaplains have an unusual position on the organizational structure.  They have a liaison contact within each department and they report dates and hours they serve (without pay), but they never report the subjects or discussions they have with any members of the force. Therefore, they are trusted completely by all members and are free to “talk it out” and discuss whatever subject comes up.  Absolute confidentiality is the rule. No politics, no reports!

Chaplains are routinely involved in unattended deaths.  Both departments are usually involved when someone dies alone.  The Emergency Medical Squad (EMS) is often the first on the scene but since they can do no more for the victim, the focus shifts to the survivors.  EMS members then call in their counterparts on the police force and notify the coroner. Police officers then stay on scene until the coroner arrives and in the interim, call in a chaplain to assist with the family notification. The chaplain serves as a link-point helping family connect to the services they need to deal with the death.

Police officers and firefighters are screened, trained and retrained. Yes, they can build up a thick skin and deal with most situations routinely. They are however, human, and readily admit issues involving children get through that thick skin.  When an officer comes face to face with the fact they can be killed or can kill someone, it is another traumatic time.  At those times, the chaplain is a valuable friend who listens without criticism and helps “get it out of the system.”  Chaplains are careful never to say “I know what you are going through”  because they  don’t know those feelings first hand. But, more and more they are exposed to many of the same situations – at least the aftermath.

So, who takes care of the chaplains who are also human and hearing and seeing more of the darker side of life than most?  Sometimes an incident gets through their protective coating, too. At those times, they lean on each other and sometimes lean on their friends in the police and fire departments. 

Chaplains receive no payment. They are “compensated with friendship.” Surprisingly, the pastors agreed that chaplaincy is an outlet of sorts for them. They can get so involved with their own church needs they have little contact with the complete community. As a chaplain, there is much contact with a cross-section of the total community. They compare chaplaincy service to that of a hospital – lots of hurting people are there to help.

There is no handbook for the job. Lamar said, “The handbook is the Bible.” While their service is Biblically based, their volunteer jobs are not used to grow their churches.  It is definitely an interfaith chaplaincy and “we are here to help at whatever level we are needed.”  According to Lt Hughes, “Our chaplains are living examples. They live their lives as good friends and create an atmosphere of trust.”

It’s not all heavy duty issues. The chaplains are also invited to participate in the ceremonies – promotions, retirements, swearing in ceremonies. They are, after all, part of the family.

Fire Lt Todd Day summed it up, “Police and Fire Departments are here to take care of and serve our citizens.  The Chaplains are here to take care of us. The community gets the benefit because we, then, do our jobs better. This blessing to us is a benefit to the community.”

Since joining the two departments into one chaplaincy program, the need is expected to double for the four chaplains who are actively seeking additional senior pastors to join their ranks in a rather specialized and very time-consuming volunteer service.

For more information call Police Lt. Leanne Hughes at 513-425-7759 or Fire Lt. Todd Day at 513-425-7996.