Chaplains provide spiritual guidance when employees are facing personal tragedy or other difficulties. But they also deploy to mass casualty events along with special agents and other professionals. Their primary job during these events is to be present and available to anyone who needs them, on a strictly voluntary basis.

“The ministry of our presence is one of the most important things we can provide,” said FBI Houston Chaplain Naomi Paget, who deployed to mass casualty scenes in San Bernardino, California; Aurora, Colorado; and Newtown, Connecticut, as well as to New York City in the aftermath of 9/11. “People are looking for reassurance and comfort so they know they are not going through this all by themselves.”

Chaplains also undertake small jobs at a scene, like handing out water or meals. “It takes an emotional load off them,” said FBI Phoenix Chaplain Chad Goucher, who deployed to Las Vegas in the aftermath of the mass shooting. “A lot of time the people working these scenes forget—they forget they are hungry or they need water. The last person they are typically thinking about is themselves.”

Those small acts of kindness remind the responders to take care of themselves and that there is someone to talk to, said Chaplain Robert Hicks, assigned to the FBI’s Orlando Resident Agency. Hicks deployed to the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando and other scenes.

“It also reminds them of their humanity,” Hicks said.

Chaplains say they do most of their counseling months after a crime scene is cleared. Most agents and professionals at a crime scene have learned to compartmentalize so they can focus on their work. They don’t have the time for distractions like speculating about the inhumanity of violence or good vs. evil.

“While you are working, it’s clinical,” a special agent from Kansas City said. “You look past the sights, the sounds, the smells, and you get the job done. But your mental bucket tends to fill up, and you need to process that.”