Mission Statement
The mission of the Tri-State First Responder Peer Support Team is to effectively recognize and respond to another first-responder or family member who is experiencing emotional or physical symptoms from exposure to acute or chronic high stress incidents. The Tri-State First Responder Peer Support Team will respond by listening, referring and supporting those in need.
| Hamilton County Fire Chiefs Peer Support Letter |
To page a peer support manager for assistance please call the Hamilton County, Ohio Communication Center at (513) 825-2280 or (513) 825-2260.
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BACKGROUND
Research has shown that careers within public safety services are qualified as high stress positions. This stress can occur because of the physical conditions that the job entails, but most recently has been associated to the unique, mentally taxing situations that the members are exposed to. This can be due to traumatic and repetitive calls while interacting with external customers (i.e. patients, and the citizens we serve.), as well as internal customers (i.e. fellow members, and management).
These interactions usually have some aspect of suffering involved; mentally, emotionally, or physically. It has been proven that these daily interactions can produce high stress conditions for the provider. Members may or may not be more susceptible to the stress encountered on a daily basis and may differentiate depending upon their unique culture, background, personality and mood. To assist members through the stress, the County has recognized the need to offer each member, mental, emotional and physical support in order to maintain minimum job requirements throughout the duration of their career. A Peer Support Program can help members become more successful by utilizing the tools already available to the organization.
These interactions usually have some aspect of suffering involved; mentally, emotionally, or physically. It has been proven that these daily interactions can produce high stress conditions for the provider. Members may or may not be more susceptible to the stress encountered on a daily basis and may differentiate depending upon their unique culture, background, personality and mood. To assist members through the stress, the County has recognized the need to offer each member, mental, emotional and physical support in order to maintain minimum job requirements throughout the duration of their career. A Peer Support Program can help members become more successful by utilizing the tools already available to the organization.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Peer Support Program is to prevent or lessen the potential negative impact of stress upon a member by providing emotional support, information and assistance. The program will provide mental and emotional support through one-on-one discussion, education, family support, immediate support and post incident follow-up. The Tri-State Peer Support Team will consist of individuals within the Tri-State (Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana) who have been specifically trained in stress management, crisis intervention and communication techniques. The Peers work in conjunction with designated mental health professionals and rarely stray from the peer-to-peer framework. This is meant to be used in conjunction with critical incident stress management programs.
GOALS
1. Advocating recognition and awareness of mental and emotional wellness.
2. To provide resources to members and their families during personal and professional crisis situations.
3. To serve as a liaison between members and support resources.
4. To build a well-rounded program that focuses on maintaining confidentiality and building trust.
5. Identify and vet additional resources and programs that could benefit anyone that needs assistance outside the scope of the Peer Support Program.
2. To provide resources to members and their families during personal and professional crisis situations.
3. To serve as a liaison between members and support resources.
4. To build a well-rounded program that focuses on maintaining confidentiality and building trust.
5. Identify and vet additional resources and programs that could benefit anyone that needs assistance outside the scope of the Peer Support Program.
POLICY & PROCEDURES
Peer Support is designed to allow individuals to connect through direct conversation by sharing relevant experience and knowledge. It is simply offering emotional and social support. Peer Supporters are trained to actively listen and assist with navigating available resources, including the mental health system. Peer Support is not a substitute for professional counseling. Peers shall not hamper or impede any investigation or attempt to act as a representative for the member. Participation in Peer Support activities shall be voluntary. It is meant to be an extra available resource for members to utilize, when needed.
The following is a description of each position, their functions, and guidelines by which Peers will abide to. If at any time individuals holding these positions or titles feel they are no longer able to commit to these guidelines with integrity, they shall step down.
The following is a description of each position, their functions, and guidelines by which Peers will abide to. If at any time individuals holding these positions or titles feel they are no longer able to commit to these guidelines with integrity, they shall step down.
AUTHORITY
The Authority of the Tri-State First Responder Peer Support shall lie with the Hamilton County Fire Chief’s Association (HCFCA). HCFCA desires to willingly partner with other authorities having jurisdiction and responsibilities, including, but not limited to Law Enforcement, Corrections, and Dispatch personnel. The Hamilton County Fire Chief’s Board of Directors have the authority to appoint the following positions on the team.
Peer Support Advisory Board
The board consists of representation from labor, management, and mental health professionals. This shall include one Law Enforcement Officer, one Firefighter/EMT, one Dispatcher, two members of the Hamilton County Fire Chief’s Association, one member of the Hamilton County Police Chief’s Association, and one member of the City of Cincinnati. This will also include one Mental Health Professional and one Professional Advisor.
USING SUPPORT SERVICES
Peer Support Team members are volunteering their time in order to help provide an additional mental health tool for other peers. Peer Team contact information will be available through the Hamilton County Fire Chief’s Association website. Department members and their families may contact Peers directly for support dealing with personal or professional crisis, stress and fatigue, and even reactions to critical incidents. Departmental or supervisory approval or notification is not required. At the request of a Supervisor, the Team Coordinator may contact Peers, as appropriate, from the Peer Team Roster to assist with High Stress Incidents (HSI) or other circumstances.
REFERRALS FROM OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS
Direct and meaningful conversations are imperative to the credibility and reputation of the Peer Support Team.
· Third party referrals to call on behalf of others will not be accepted.
· Ask the person making the referral to have the member call you directly.
· If you cannot talk to the member directly, provide the person calling with all applicable resources and be sure to follow up, if possible.
· Peers should not be put in the position as agents for the Department or crews to carry out counseling for members.
· Third party referrals to call on behalf of others will not be accepted.
· Ask the person making the referral to have the member call you directly.
· If you cannot talk to the member directly, provide the person calling with all applicable resources and be sure to follow up, if possible.
· Peers should not be put in the position as agents for the Department or crews to carry out counseling for members.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
The Tri-State Peer Support Team is comprised of volunteers from various First Responder Professions. Team members agree to make themselves available for co-workers without requirement for compensation from their employer. All Peers must understand and agree to the team requirements and guidelines outlined in the Peer Support Team Application. If there is confusion about team requirements or guidelines, please ask the Team Coordinator or a member of the Advisory Board for clarification. Any disagreement with information contained in the application should be brought to the attention of the Team Coordinator immediately.
CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT
Peer Support is a confidential program. Members shall not discuss information obtained while acting in a peer support capacity with anyone other than the Mental Health Professional or his/her designee for the purpose of mental health support unless required by law. Peer Support Team Members have a duty to report an individual that is a “clear and present danger” to himself or others. (ORC 2317.02, K 1, 2) Immediate notification to the Team Coordinator, Advisory Board member or Licensed Crisis Care facility is mandatory. In some cases, calling 9-1-1 might be necessary. Peer Support Team Members shall not divulge information with other employees, family members, friends, supervisors or management, or the general public. Identifying information on employees utilizing Peer Support Team services or mental health referrals will never be recorded or maintained. Peer Team members have the responsibility to inform members of their duty to report, prior to meeting.
For general inquires please email [email protected] or look at peer managers contact info on resource link below.