Employee/ Volunteer Peer Support Services

If you need someone to talk to, it helps to talk to someone who gets it. Someone who has been in your shoes. Firefighters generally prefer talking to other firefighters. If you love a firefighter you may want to talk to someone who understands what it’s like and how this peer support can help. Firefighter Peer Support Services are provided by a credentialed fire chaplain or fire fighter peer support team member, to give confidential support to firefighters in their families. Peers will listen, answer questions and help find possible professional resources that can assist you with your situation. Information will not be shared with other employees/volunteers, family members, friends, supervisors, management or the general public, within the limits of the law.

Peer support is not a substitute for professional counseling but it is a good place to start. Many local departments also have peer support teams. A team member can assist you in connecting with peer support in your area. Firefighter Peer Support Services is a benefit available to all firefighters and their families. The services provided are free and confidential.

The fire chaplain website provides many resources for wellness and other self-help tools if you have questions about the services offered by Firefighter Peer Support Services you can call a member of the team at (209) 207-2073

Firefighter Peer Support Services (FPSS)

FPSS Is a benefit available to all firefighters and their families. The services provided are free, confidential.

FPSS services can be thought of in two ways:

• Emotional Health: Counseling for a wide range of possible emotional issues is available by face-to-face meetings, web video, or by phone.

• Online: The Fire Chaplain website provides many resources for wellness and self-help tools

If you have questions about the services offered by FPSS, you can call a member of the FPSS Team, or you can contact FPSS directly by calling: (209) 207-2073 or visit: StanislausCountyFireChaplain.com

Critical Incident Stress

Regardless of a firefighter’s experience, personality, or training, no one is immune to critical incident stress.

Firefighters respond to many types of calls. The majority are routine and usually not emotionally distressing. Unfortunately, some might be truly horrible calls capable of causing acute stress injuries - these are what we call critical incidents. A critical incident is any incident that causes someone to experience unusually strong emotional reactions that can interfere with his or her ability to function either at the scene or later after the call is completed. Families know their firefighter better than anyone, and you may have experience times when your firefighter seems distant, irritable... or just not themselves . This may be the result of a bad call or a series of bad calls over possibly many years period it may also be difficult for your firefighter to talk about what they have been through; They may want to shield you from upsetting details. Knowing the details is not what is important; But understanding what to watch out for, learning to be a good listener, and knowing where to go for help will enable you to be the best support you can be for your firefighter.

Important things to know about Critical Incident Stress:

• It affects the way a person thinks, feels and acts.

• It can occur at the scene, within hours, days, weeks, or even months after the event.

• The effects of critical incident stress are a normal response to an abnormal event.

• With the support of family and friends, most people recover within a few days or weeks.

What families and friends can do to help:

• Listen carefully to them.

• Suggest talking to a peer, counselor or chaplain, if appropriate.

Treatment for Critical Incident Stress Injuries:

Most of the time people recover from the effects of critical incident stress with the help of family and friends, but sometimes that is only possible with the assistance of professional help. Acute stress injuries resulting from critical incident stress are just as real as physical injuries. And like physical injuries some can be treated with basic first aid, while others require more advanced care.

If you see persistent changes in behavior, such as anger, isolation, increased drinking, not sleeping, or if work is no longer enjoyable … it is time to ask for help. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. No one is immune from the possibility of stress injuries as a result of responding to critical incidents. There are many resources available to help firefighters and their families who are dealing with the aftermath of critical incidents, including peer support, chaplains, mental health clinicians who specialize in first responders, and treatment centers. FPSS can help locate resources in your area if you suspect your firefighter may be suffering from a stress injury. With help…life gets better.

First Responder Support Network (FRSN)

“Before I came here and my therapist was trying to convince me to attend she told me, ‘it is a place where miracles happen to guys like you.’ At the time, that comment pissed me off. But, thanks for the miracle.” – 2012 Client

The FRSN is a peer driven, clinician guided program specifically designed to help first responders recover from severe acute stress injuries. The FRSN Staff includes active and retired firefighters, law enforcement officers, dispatchers, as well as other emergency service workers who understand the benefits of a peer supported approach for the treatment of critical incident related stress injuries. 8 The staff also includes specially screened culturally competent psychologists who understand the complex emotional issues first responders live with on a daily basis. Everyone who works within the FRSN does so as a volunteer without pay.

West Coast Post-Trauma Retreat (WCPR):

The WCPR is a six day program for first responders whose lives have been affected by their work experience. During your firefighter’s stay, he or she will meet with other clients (usually no more than six clients per session) and receive individual and group counseling, educational information, and the tools necessary to find emotional recovery to once again enjoy life and his or her family.

Significant Others and Spouses (SOS):

The SOS residential program is for the partners and spouses of first responders who have been affected by their loved one’s critical incidents (resulting in secondary or vicarious trauma), but may also have their own special needs such as depression or anxiety. In addition, partners and spouses may have their own trauma histories, which are reactivated when their loved ones experience a traumatic event. That FRSN is based in the Bay Area and is one of only two treatment programs like it in the country. The retreat facility is located in Napa County within a 2 hour drive of several major airports.

For more information call: (415) 721-9789 or visit www.frsn.org

Substance Abuse Assistance Program (SAAP)

There is a difference between casual substance abuse and use that interferes with your family, job or quality of life. Family, friends or coworkers are often the first to notice when someone is developing a problem.

The FPSS can be used to direct you or your loved one to the right professional resource needed.

Alcoholics Anonymous - First Responders Restricted Meetings

First responders who are working on their recovery may prefer to participate in AA meetings that are restricted to only those who work in public safety. First Responders Specific AA Meetings are located throughout California. A current list of meeting locations and schedules is available from any member of the ESS team by calling (916) 445-4337.

To learn more about AA visit: www.aa.org

Additional Help For Families

Al-Anon & Alateen:

Al-Anon is a support group for people who are living with, or have lived with, someone whose drinking or substance abuse has created problems for themselves or others. Al-Anon meetings provide a confidential, non judgment mental, safe place to talk to others whose concerns and fears are similar to your own. Alateen is part of Al-Anon family groups. Alateen is for young Al-Anon members, usually teenagers, whose lives have been affected by someone’s else is drinking. In Alateen meetings young people can share their experiences, learn effective ways to cope with problems, encourage one another and learn how to use the Twelve Steps.

To learn more about Al-Anon & Alateen visit: www.al-anon.alateen.org or call (888) 4AL-ANON

Domestic Violence

First Responders who are suffering from post-traumatic stress injuries and also have a substance abuse problem are sometimes prone to acts of domestic violence. Domestic violence can happen to anyone. If you or someone you know is the victim of a psychological or physical abuse, there is help available.

Emergency Hotlines

Child Abuse Hotline: (800) 422-4453

Crisis Hotline for Youth: (800) 448-4663

Crisis Hotline for Youth & Families: (800) 999-9999

Domestic Violence: (800) 799-7233

Girls & Boys Town Crisis National Hotline: (800) 448-3000

Build A Support System

The unpredictable nature of firefighting and the reality that firefighters will be required to be away from home for extended periods of time make it essential for fire families to build a strong support system: friends, family and extended family who can be relied on to help with day-to-day and unexpected needs a family life. Every fire family has its own unique needs and challenges, and how you make it work will be up to you. But, one thing is certain... you do not have to do it alone.

Get to know other fire families, trade childcare, share ideas; Support one another. FPSS is available to assist if you are interested in forming a fire family network in your area.

Having a Family Plan in the Event of a Natural Disaster

Your Family may not be together when disaster strikes, so plan how you will contact one another period it is also possible that your firefighter could be committed to the local natural disaster in may not be able to come home right away. Think about how you will communicate in situations such as these. The link below offers great tips to help families be prepared in the event of a disaster:

www.readyforwildfire.org/prepare your family/ www.stanemergency.org/

Be Prepared

You Can reduce stress for yourself and your family by being informed about your benefits and the resources available to you. We encourage you to check out the following information to help you better prepare for the future.

California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)

The CalPERS website provides important information on your CalPERS benefits, including: health insurance plan options, long term care benefits, retirement benefits, disability retirement, death benefits, as well as forms to submit change of address, change of beneficiary and more. State employees are encouraged to attend a CalPERS workshop early in their career period to learn more,

visit: www.calpers.ca.gov or (888) CalPERS (888) 225-7377

Preparing for the Unexpected

Wills and Living Trusts

Virtually every person - married, divorced, single, childless, parent, in good health, in bad health -should have a will or trust because without one you cannot determine who should receive your property or specify your wishes concerning guardianship of your young children in the event that both parents die.

Suggested Reading

“I Love a Fire Fighter – What the Family Needs to Know” by Dr. Ellen Kirschman

How can firefighter families manage the stress that comes with life in the service? How do you keep a grip on fears and worries during long hours of separation from your spouse? Where can you turn when times get tough? With this practical, no nonsense, yet compassionate guide, Dr. Ellen Kirschman provides the first selfhelp book written to address the questions and concerns of today’s firefighter families.

Online Resources

FireFighterwife.com

The mission is to honor, strengthen, support and encourage fire service marriages and families. The services provided are free. For more information visit: www.firefighterwife.com

Phoenix Society - Support for Burn Injured Firefighters and their Families

The international Association of Firefighters Burn Foundation and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation partnered with the Phoenix Society to develop fire fighter peer support. For more information visit: www. phoenix-society.org

The Sweeney Alliance - Grieving Behind the Badge

Provides training and education relating to grief, post-traumatic stress, and suicide prevention for the emergency response community and their families in North America. For more information visit: www.grievingbehindthebadgeblog.net

Firestrong

An independently operated online resource for members of the Fire Service and their families. The mission of Firestrong is to offer mental, emotional, and physical support to each member of the fire department and their families by providing educational tools, resources, crisis intervention assistance (crisis line) and peer support services. For more information visit: www.firestrong.org

Wildland Firefighter Foundation

Recognized as the organization that provides immediate financial and crisis assistance to families of fallen and injured wildland firefighters. For more information visit: wffoundation.org