The Bismarck Law Enforcement Chaplaincy is now doing business as the Crisis Care Chaplaincy. A ribbon cutting ceremony highlighting the name change and expanded scope of services was held today. “We’ve expanded our scope of service to include all emergency personnel in the Bismarck Burleigh area and state agency personnel that includes law enforcement and local EMS, Bismarck Police and Fire Departments, Bismarck Rural Fire Department, Burleigh County Sheriff personnel and the ND State Highway Patrol,” said Chaplain Dan Sweeney. “We also work in cooperation with the ND Department of Health Division of Emergency and Trauma Services and the ND Department of Emergency Management to provide Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) debriefings, training and support,” said Sweeney.

The community’s population growth and diversity, the flood of 2011, and the loss of two officers in the line of duty had a big impact on the community and have led to an increase in the need for Chaplaincy services. To address the increased need for services the Chaplaincy now assigns Chaplains to specific dedicated areas of service such as Fire, Police, Detention/Jail, Community Services, training and debriefing services. This provides a rich environment to further enhance assistance provided to each dedicated area of service. The Chaplaincy now has a team of 11 volunteer chaplains, who together serve to meet the service needs of people in the community. Dan Sweeney serves as full-time staff chaplain with the team of volunteer chaplains. The Chaplaincy has a rotating on-call schedule and there is always a chaplain ready to serve first responders.

The broadened scope of service and increased staffing has created a greater need for investment support of the Chaplaincy. The Bismarck Law Enforcement Chaplaincy is a 501-C3, non-profit organization doing business as the Crisis Care Chaplaincy.

Each year the annual Bismarck Mayor’s Prayer Luncheon helps to provide one-time support through business sponsorships. “In addition to the Mayor’s Prayer Luncheon, there is a need to build a base of investment support from the community on a continuous basis to enable us to meet the ever-growing service needs of our expanding community,” said Sweeney.

To donate to the Chaplaincy you may send your gift to: Crisis Care Chaplaincy, 700 South Ninth St. Bismarck, ND 58504.