When Peer Support Officers attended the Warwick Area 20 exercise this year, with the recent Karara and Wildash fires fresh in the minds of many who attended, an RFS member who normally deploys to incidents in the 91 command and communication vehicle was discussing with me about how the PSO's are activated as there were a few moments during the previously mentioned fires that PSO's had the potential to be utilised but they were unsure as to how to activate them.
Upon discussion with the RFS member, they were unaware of the ComsD and TacD that were in place to support the IC and the OIC's of trucks and when shown the information, suggested a simple, easy to use and understand "field guide" would be fantastic to have as a resource for instances where a PSO activation was required.
From this request, pulling the required information directly from both the relevant ComsD and TacD a simple, quick reference "field guide" which empowers Incident Controllers and truck OIC's to best support their crews when they encounter situations where they may have members exposed to situations, such as being first on scene at a structure fire and feeling unable to assist or seeing injured or deceased livestock or wildlife, to support their mental as well as physical health and long term ability to respond and continue to be valued RFSQ members as well as helping members to understand that their mental health is equally as important as their physical health.
Peer support officers are firefighters. They have a minimum of two years experience in the fire service, whatever the stream and go through extra training and supervision to ensure that they can support their colleagues when they need to talk, to debrief or are just having a rough day. They can talk about fire ground incidents or about any other matter that may be affecting them. They can also get referrals to more supports such as counselling sessions and all contacts to PSO's is completely confidential.
Hugh Strong
Peer Support Officer
Brigade Training Officer
Crew Leader
Massie and District RFB
Sugarloaf RFB
0499524796
hugh.strong@rfs.qfes.qld.gov.au
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