History

Boundary County Chaplain Corps

History and Impact Statement

History: 

Boundary County Chaplain Corps (BCCC) was established in the spring of 2013 to provide biblically-based chaplain services, both personal and professional, to all law enforcement and emergency services personnel and their families within Boundary County. These services are also available to those who are incarcerated and their families in Boundary County. Beginning with just one chaplain, the group has had as many as six chaplains at any given time who are on-call 24/7/365. Currently, five chaplains comprise the roster. Our work has now expanded into neighboring Bonner County as the program we have created is being recreated there by one of our chaplains in cooperation with the Sheriff’s Office in that jurisdiction. We provide professional training for our chaplains and consistent care and counseling for first responders and their families. All of our chaplains are also sworn reserve deputies in Boundary County to facilitate our services at the request of the Sheriff’s Office. It is our mission to care for the troubled and those who have endured loss, been victimized by the events and tragedy that have left them abandoned, helpless and without hope.

BCCC is not a church, nor is it in the business of seeking converts to any particular church group or denomination. BCCC is non-denominational in emphasis, providing service regardless of the personal faith or beliefs of those we serve. The Boundary County Chaplain Corps is a public benefit private non-profit organization.

Impact: 

• Help bring Calm to Chaos – Offering a safe place and safe relationship to the First Responders of Boundary County. Offering help and assistance to those in crisis and facing traumatic circumstances

• Confidential Personal Counseling – to police officers and emergency services personnel, their families and the community.

• Ride-alongs with officers and emergency services personnel, encouraging and establishing trust, identifying with their daily pressures and responsibilities.

• Inmate/jail visitation, including ministry to jail personnel.

• Emergency Services – Chaplains are available for on-scene support for all crisis intervention and assistance when needed.

• Rehab services using our “Angel 1” vehicle (a refurbished and repurposed ambulance) during extended emergency scenes. Services include shelter, food preparation, rest, heat/cooling as needed, communications, basic first aid, counseling. 

• Hospital and Home Visits – to assist in healing and support ministry.

• Providing Critical Incident Debriefing and Defusing – following a critical incident or traumatic event, for officers, emergency services personnel, and the community.

• Officer Training and Public Awareness – to help the officer and emergency services personnel and their family members maintain healthy relationships to enhance their careers. To educate the community through classes in schools and Citizen Academy events.

• Officiating Services – celebrating with officers and emergency services personnel and their families in Wedding Celebrations and Vow Renewals; providing pre- and post-marriage counseling; assisting in special events planning and exercises; and officiating at funeral services, for officers, emergency services personnel, and our communities.

In summary, BCCC is a non-denominational chaplaincy agency providing biblically-based comfort and counsel, both personal and professional, for all emergency services personnel and their families within Boundary and Bonner Counties, as well as for those who have endured loss or been victimized by traumatic events and tragedy.