chaplaincy POLICY

I. PURPOSE

This policy affirms the recognition, role, and academic alignment of Chaplain First Responders as authorized participants in emergency, disaster, and critical incident response.

II. DEFINITION

A Chaplain First Responder is a duly credentialed chaplain authorized by an Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) or sponsoring institution to respond to emergency, disaster, or critical incident scenes within established National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) frameworks.

Chaplain First Responders provide immediate crisis intervention, spiritual care, emotional stabilization, victim and family assistance, responder support, and post-incident services. Chaplains are recognized as first responders by function and deployment, notwithstanding non-enforcement status.

III. POSITION STATEMENT

Chaplains serve as integral members of emergency response systems, operating alongside law enforcement, fire services, EMS, and disaster response agencies. Modern emergency management doctrine recognizes chaplains as essential operational responders whose services are immediate and mission-critical.

IV. REGULATORY & OPERATIONAL BASIS

Chaplain First Responders are supported by nationally recognized frameworks, including:

• DHS National Incident Management System (NIMS) / Incident Command System (ICS)
   
• FEMA Emergency Support Functions (ESF-6 and ESF-8)
   
• Stafford Act disaster response principles
   
• DOJ victim assistance standards
   
• IACP, CALEA, NFPA, and NVOAD guidance
   

V. FUNCTIONAL ROLE

Chaplain First Responders may:

• Respond during the initial phase of emergencies
• Operate within incident command structures
• Crisis care and death notifications
• Support victims, families, responders, and communities
• Participate in recovery and post-incident care
   

VI. TRAINING & CREDENTIALING

A Chaplain First Responder shall:

• Hold valid ecclesiastical endorsement and institutional appointment
   
• Complete approved training in:
   
  • ICS-100/200 or equivalent
  • Crisis and trauma response
  • Victim assistance and death notification
  • Ethics, confidentiality, and scene safety
     
• Be issued official credentials by the sponsoring agency or institution
• Operate under AHJ policies and procedures
   

VII. UNIVERSITY ALIGNMENT

Harvest Christian University recognizes chaplaincy as an applied public safety discipline within emergency management and community response frameworks.

HCU chaplaincy programs align with NIMS/ICS standards, public safety doctrine, and applied ministry training, preparing graduates for credentialing, deployment, and inter-agency cooperation as Chaplain First Responders.

VIII. POLICY ADOPTION

This policy formally recognizes credentialed chaplains as first responders by operational function for emergency response, critical incidents, and disaster operations, consistent with nationally recognized public safety frameworks. 

Purpose:
To establish a professional, consistent uniform for HCU credentialed chaplains that identifies them as support personnel only, without implying law enforcement, fire, or EMS authority.

 Uniform Components

• Badge: Official HCU Chaplaincy ID (identifies credentialed support status)
• Shirt: HCU-branded polo or button-down with Chaplaincy patch
• Pants: Dark or khaki uniform-style trousers
• Footwear: Closed-toe, professional shoes suitable for emergency or public environments
• Optional Outerwear: HCU jacket or vest with Chaplaincy insignia
   

2. Identification

• Badge and patch must be visible at all times during official chaplaincy duties.
• Uniform signals chaplaincy support role only; does not grant law enforcement or emergency service authority.
   

3. Conduct While in Uniform

• Maintain professional appearance and demeanor 
• Provide spiritual, emotional, and community support in all engagements 
• Follow all AHJ or organizational guidelines during deployment.
   

4. Restrictions

• Uniform cannot be altered to imply police, fire, or EMS authority 
• Chaplains must remain in support-only capacity while in uniform.
   

This version is one page, simple, and operational.

If you want, I can also make a “Uniform Quick Reference Chart” showing shirt, badge, pants, and role guidance for training or operational use.

Do you want me to create that?