Nobody calls me or my coworkers in public safety (fire or police) because they have everything under control. No, they call the police and fire department because they can't control the situation to a favorable outcome. And the police and fire crews tend to call me or my team of chaplains precisely because they couldn't control the scene to a favorable outcome, either because of a death or because someone's house burned down.

Typically, a 911 call has a lot of pieces working at the same time. While fire and EMS affects rescue, police are doing scene control and investigation. Both have multiple events going on at the same time.

So, what is a chaplain to do when they arrive on scene? We usually get report from police, fire, or both. Sometimes, we must be aware of safety issues related to fire operations or rescue. Other times, we must be aware of law enforcement issues with the people on scene. More than once, I have made aware by officers that the person I was going to speak with may have been the cause of the death that is being investigated. In these cases the chaplain must ask, "What is going on?" to be helpful, not a hindrance. The chaplain must not only look at the material and facts. A good chaplain needs to be aware of the Spirit and the human condition that people bring to the situation.

The first task in Richard R. Osmer's four core tasks of practical theology interpretation is the descriptive-empirical task, which asks, "What is going on?" Osmer explains that this task involves "gathering information that helps us discern patterns and dynamics in particular episodes, situations, or contexts." This task is paramount for public safety chaplains and involves a quick but thorough examination of their operational context. The chaplain must observe the operations and be in tune with the spiritual dynamics of the participants.

Public safety chaplains operate in a unique context, with specific patterns and dynamics that set them apart from religious or secular environments. They serve as spiritual guides in the public safety sector, which includes law enforcement, fire departments, emergency medical services, and other related entities. The primary focus in their context involves providing spiritual and emotional support to individuals often exposed to high-stress situations, trauma, and life-altering events.

Understanding the "what" in their context involves meticulously exploring the issues. It requires examining the work environment, the people involved, their beliefs, challenges, coping mechanisms, and how their work experiences affect their spiritual and emotional well-being.

The task also encompasses identifying the needs of the public safety personnel, both at the individual and collective levels. These needs could range from crisis intervention, grief counseling, stress management, or simply providing a listening ear during a difficult time. It involves recognizing the signs of physical and emotional distress, trauma, and spiritual crisis, which may not always be apparent, given the nature of their profession that often necessitates a strong, unyielding exterior.

Moreover, this task extends to understanding the influential external factors, such as societal attitudes toward public safety officials, the impact of public scrutiny, and the overall perception of their roles. It includes an examination of the potential conflicts that may arise between their professional duties and personal beliefs.

Asking "What is going on?" is a crucial first step for public safety chaplains as they enter the emergency scene. It involves a comprehensive examination and understanding of their context, the unique challenges, the individual and collective needs, and the societal factors influencing their roles. This understanding forms the foundation for Osmer's framework's subsequent interpretive, normative, and pragmatic tasks. It guides the chaplains in providing practical, spiritual, and emotional support in the public safety sector and to start to answer the question, "Where is God in this"?