§ 32-03-48 — Definitions

As used in sections 32-03-48 through 32-03-50, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. "Critical incident" means any event encountered by emergency service personnel
within the scope of their employment which causes them to experience unusually
strong emotional reactions that have the potential to interfere with their ability to
perform their jobs or that may interfere with their personal lives.
2. "Critical incident stress debriefing" means the process of resolving the effects of critical
incidents on emergency service personnel through a structured meeting with both
psychological and educational components according to the model approved by the
department of health and human services.
3. "Critical incident stress management team" means those volunteers who are
recognized by the department of health and human services as members of an
organized group that provides critical incident stress debriefing services on behalf of
the state.
4. "Emergency service personnel" means individuals who provide emergency services to
persons requiring medical aid, firefighting services, law enforcement assistance, or
other emergency assistance. The term includes law enforcement officers, firefighters,
rescue personnel, ambulance personnel, quick response personnel, emergency
service dispatchers, nurses, physicians, and other emergency care providers.

5. "Peer support personnel" means those members of a critical incident stress
management team who are emergency service personnel and who have completed
appropriate training approved by the department of health and human services.