Crisis Chaplaincy Services

Chaplain Services Overview with Mitch Warren – Assistant Chaplain

Mitch Warren, Assistant Chaplain at Willamette Valley First Responder Chaplains, gives an overview of how the chaplaincy organization helps first responder firefighters and EMS personnel in their line of work.

Todd Pynch founded Crisis Chaplaincy Services on January 7, 2003. Visit us at www.ccschaplain.com

Who Are We?

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides chaplaincy support to law enforcement agencies and other emergency service organizations, including fire, EMS & dispatch.

What Is Our Purpose Statement?

The purpose of Crisis Chaplaincy Services is to provide encouraging support to the fire and law enforcement personnel and their families that we work with as well as offering caring compassion to those who are experiencing a crisis in the communities we serve.

What Do We Do?

We provide 24/7 chaplaincy support to the agencies we serve. Every single moment of every single day, there is one of our chaplains available to respond to crisis situations that occur as well as offer any support necessary to police officers and other emergency service workers.

How Are We Governed?

We have a Board of Directors made up of the following people: Ron Noble, Chairman (McMv PD); Scott Russell, Vice Chairman (Woodburn PD); Mark Cotter, Secretary (OSP); John Moore, Treasurer, Auto Additions; Troy Clausen, Director (MCSO); Dennis Keena, Director (Salem PD); John Teague, Director (Keizer PD).

Who Is Our Staff?

Our full-time staff comprises our Executive Chaplain, Todd Pynch, and our Regional Chaplain, Russell Poston. Currently, we have three volunteer Chaplains. They are Randy Butler, Gary Nye, and Bob Palmer. We are processing five volunteer applications and are planning our next Chaplain’s Academy.

How Do We Train Our Staff?

We hold an eight-week Chaplain’s Academy where our chaplains are trained in all pertinent areas such as dispatch procedures, critical incident stress management, death notification procedures, how to respond to suicides, driving skills enhancement, defensive tactics, working within the fire culture, how to respond to fire & medical calls, and how to work within the police culture safely.

Where Do We Currently Serve?

We serve all law enforcement agencies in Marion County as well as in Benton County, and we are currently expanding into Yamhill County. We serve all the dispatch centers in these Counties as well, and we work with multiple fire departments/districts in all three Counties. We will respond to any agency that requests our services.

How Are We Financially Supported?

Our funding comes from three primary sources. We have service contracts with several agencies we serve, and a portion of our funding comes from them. We also have a few churches that provide financial support to us. The bulk of our funding comes from individual donors just like you that believe in the work we do and support us.

How Can You Become Involved?

You can contact our office at 503-763-8522 and let us know that you would like to be a compassionate partner with us. We will provide you with a donation envelope & card. Once you decide on the size of your gift, you can mail it to the address listed below. All gifts are tax-deductible, and we will provide you with a receipt for your donation.

How Can You Contact Us?

Our address is 387 Court St NE, Salem, OR 97301. Our office number is 503-763-8522

Tiger the Therapy Dog

Assistant Chaplain Mitch Warren of Willamette Valley First Responder Chaplains describes how his therapy dog, Tiger, helps first responders at Marion County Fire District No. 1 handle tough calls.