Law Enforcement Perspectives for CISM Enhancement

Peter Volkmann, MSW, CCISM graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Mercy College and received his Masters in Social Work from Fordham University.  Peter is a faculty member for the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) in Ellicott City, MD in which he received the 2017 recipient of the ICISF Lifetime Achievement Award and 2025 Co-Founders Award for his accomplishments in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) internationally. Because of his vast experience in the different rescue fields and the social work profession, Peter is utilized as a crisis interventionist and trainer for rescue departments, government municipalities, schools, and corporate organizations around the United States who have experienced traumatic events. He assisted in the development of the Uniform Service Program for PTSD at Brattleboro Retreat in Vermont.  Peter has been featured as an expert on stress for Dateline (NBC), Discovery Channel, MSNBC, and Law Enforcement Television Network (LETN).  He is featured on the documentary “Uprooting Addictions” and featured in “Rethinking How We Police Addiction”.  Peter developed “Law Enforcement Perspectives Course for CISM Enhancement” and “Human Spirit and Faith Tactics in CISM” which are an approved courses of ICISF. He has trained and assisted the startup of numerous critical incident response teams throughout the United States.  Peter developed through the University of Albany School of Public Health “ASAP-Active Shooter Action Program” designed for schools, businesses, and communities.  He has also written a children’s book “The Story of Luvee Bunny” to inspire hope in recovery from mental illness and substance use disorder.  His latest CISM book, “Back Pocket Skills in CISM” will be published in August of 2025.

Peter has moved forward from so many of his life’s challenges and tribulations with the same integrity and dedication to service that have defined his more than thirty-year career. He continues his practice as a Critical Incident Stress Management instructor and lecturer and continues his groundbreaking work in developing addiction recovery programs.  Peter has been blessed throughout his life with the ongoing support and belief expressed by those who have known Peter for decades and deeply respect his work as a pioneer in crisis intervention and addiction recovery (Peter himself has been in recovery for the past 25 years).

Now, applying his decades of professional knowledge and experience, and integrating his additional experience into overcoming those challenges and difficulties he faced over his lifetime, Peter has developed seminars that focus on foundational faith and spiritual strengths that create a powerful, working blueprint for recovery from deep life crises.   The seminars are based on Peter’s concept, “Land of Never” (“this will never happen to me”) and offer focused guidance and specific techniques for overcoming the most difficult passages of life. Specifically, the “Land of Never” defines and applies to the kind of life crisis that has the potential to forever cripple the human spirit, both emotionally and spiritually.  Peter’s “Human Spirit and Faith Tactics” seminars meet the needs of both professional and lay people.