Abstract: This study originates from the author's practice experience working for the New Zealand Fire Service back in the late 1980's and early 1990's as an Occupational Health Nurse where she piloted a Critical Incident Stress Peer Support programme in the No.4 Region. The author identified work-related stress and related it to Critical Incident Stress (CIS) from firefighters exposure to critical incidents. This study explores four firefighters experience of Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) within a Region of the New Zealand Fire Service. It explores the application of CISD as one component of Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), and the Nurse Researcher's philosophy of Clinical Nurse practice in relation to the application of CISD. The knowledge gained from the analysis of the data has the potential to influence professionals understanding of their experience and affect future practice and that of others working in the field of CISM. Much of the literature that supported CISD appeared to offer a rather superficial understanding of the firefighters experience in relation to CISD. A narrative approache was chosed as the methodology, utilising four individual case studies as a method of social inquiry in order to explore the experience of CISD. The narratives were able to creatively capture the complexity and the dynamic practice of CISD. An overall pattern of the formalised process was uncovered through the participants' narratives. Eight dominant themes were highlighted from the narratives which included safe environment; ventilating the stress reaction; similar feelings; getting the whole picture; peer support; bonding and resolution. While these themes were common to all the participants, each participant had a particular theme/s which was unique to their experience.