The Critical Incident Stress Debriefing should be provided by which group and should take place no longer than how many hours after the initial impact of the critical event?

• A. trained personnel; 24 to 72
• B. peers; 48 to 96
• C. mental health professionals; 2 to 6
• D. supervisors; 12 to 24

Answer: (A)

Critical Incident Stress Debriefing is a structured, post-incident group session designed to help responders process reactions to a traumatic event. It should be led by trained personnel who have specific instruction in crisis intervention and debriefing techniques, ensuring the session is conducted safely and effectively. Conducting the debriefing within 24 to 72 hours after the incident is ideal because the acute stress responses are still fresh and can be addressed before they become delayed or chronic. Peers without formal training or supervisors lacking specialized skills may struggle to guide the discussion and protect participants from re-traumatization. Timelines outside this 24–72 hour window are less effective, making trained personnel within that time frame the best choice.