The purpose of this Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is to establish the authority, role, deployment, and operational responsibilities of credentialed chaplains serving as First Responders in support of police, fire, and emergency operations.

It is the policy of this department to recognize credentialed chaplains as Chaplain First Responders, authorized to respond to emergency incidents, critical events, disasters, and line-of-duty matters in support of personnel, victims, families, and the community, consistent with federal incident management frameworks and departmental command authority.

Chaplain First Responders operate under:

• The National Incident Management System (NIMS)
• The Incident Command System (ICS)
• Applicable state and local emergency management statutes
• Departmental authority granted by the Chief of Police / Fire Chief or designee

Chaplains function in a non-enforcement, non-medical capacity and remain subject to the direction of the Incident Commander or Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).

Credentialed chaplains may be deployed to:

• Active emergency scenes
• Critical incidents (including fatalities and officer/firefighter injuries)
• Death notifications
• Disaster response and recovery operations
• Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs)
• Hospitals, shelters, and family assistance centers

Chaplain First Responders shall:

• Provide immediate crisis intervention and emotional stabilization
• Assist with death notifications in coordination with command staff
• Support victims, survivors, families, and affected community members
• Provide peer support and wellness services to sworn and civilian personnel
• Maintain confidentiality consistent with law and departmental policy
• Observe all scene safety requirements and operational protocols

• Chaplains shall report to the Incident Commander or assigned supervisor
• Chaplains shall not self-deploy
• Chaplains shall not interfere with investigative, medical, or tactical operations

Chaplain First Responders must:

• Hold valid chaplain credentials issued by the department or sponsoring authority
• Maintain ecclesiastical endorsement
• Complete required training, including:
  
  • ICS/NIMS orientation
  • Crisis intervention and trauma response
  • Victim assistance and death notification protocols
  • Ethics, confidentiality, and scene safety

Credentialed chaplains shall be issued:

• Official department-approved photo identification
• Authorized badge or credential insignia
• Access privileges consistent with assigned duties

Chaplain First Responders:

• Do not exercise law enforcement or firefighting authority
• Do not carry weapons unless otherwise authorized by law and policy
• Shall operate strictly within assigned support roles

The Chaplain Program shall be reviewed periodically by command staff to ensure compliance with departmental policy, training standards, and operational effectiveness.

OFFICIAL CREDENTIAL

Chaplain First Responder

[Agency Name]

Name: __________________________

Title: Chaplain First Responder

Credential No.: ________________

Issued By: _____________________

Expiration Date: _______________

The bearer of this credential is a duly authorized Chaplain First Responder, operating under the authority of [Agency Name].

This credential authorizes access to emergency scenes, facilities, and operations when deployed or approved by the Authority Having Jurisdiction, consistent with departmental policy, NIMS/ICS protocols, and applicable law.

This credential does not confer law enforcement, firefighting, or medical authority.

This badge identifies the bearer as a Chaplain First Responder authorized to provide crisis intervention, spiritual care, and responder support during emergency and critical incident operations.

The badge signifies credentialed access and official capacity, not enforcement authority.

Credentialed Chaplain First Responders issued official identification by this department are recognized as authorized emergency response personnel for purposes of scene access, responder support, and crisis care, subject to command authority and operational conditions.

Graduates or credentialed chaplains affiliated with Harvest Christian University chaplaincy programs may qualify for departmental credentialing when program completion, ecclesiastical endorsement, and training standards meet or exceed departmental requirements.