A critical incident is a traumatic event that falls outside the normal range of human experience. Such events can trigger a stress reaction that may affect cognitive, emotional, spiritual, or physical functioning. These reactions are a natural response to an abnormal situation. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel—including law enforcement, dispatchers, ambulance crews, fire/rescue teams, and hospital staff—encounter more traumatic events than the general public as part of their work and typically handle them effectively. However, even the most seasoned professionals can experience strong emotional responses to critical incidents.