Peer Support
The goal of FireCare is to promote staff well-being.
Peer Support is an integral part of the FireCare service.
- Peer Support Officers are selected staff specifically trained to assist and support fellow workers with either work related or personal difficulties.
- Peer Support Officers are carefully selected on the basis of trust, integrity and a genuine interest in the health and wellbeing of fellow workers.
The Peer Support Officer’s Role
Peer Support Officers provide:
- One-on-one support, defusing and debriefing after a critical incident
- Understanding and acceptance of feelings and experiences
- Referral to professional counselling, if required
Peer Support Officers are NOT counsellors and thereby have limitations to their role; however, they will at all times help others to appropriately seek professional counselling support.
Each Peer Support Officer and all workplaces in every region have a list of external counsellors registered with FireCare to provide services throughout Queensland.
For more information refer to:
Critical Incident Stress Management
Peer Support Officers are often involved when an event of high emotional impact arises. In this case they may:
- Assess the need for Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) intervention
- Defuse the initial stress of an incident by helping those involved discuss their reactions
- Liaise closely with professional FireCare Counsellors to arrange further assistance such as individual counselling
Confidentiality
Peer Support Officers adhere to strict confidentiality in all interactions with fellow workers. To this end, Peer Support Officers sign a Statement of Agreement and a Code of Ethics, binding them to the guidelines, policies and procedures of FireCare, which are in accordance with the DES Privacy Policy Statement (refer section 15.6 of the DES Financial Management Practices Manual)
FireCare information may only be revealed when:
- It is a legal requirement to disclose information
- Failure to disclose information would place the client or another person at risk
- The Client's written consent has been obtained to release the information to another person or agency
- At times an audit will be conducted, during which, an external auditor will be engaged to verify invoices paid to counsellors
Who can contact a Peer Support Officer?
Any QFRS staff or any staff member’s immediate family experiencing personal or work-related problems.
Any Rural Fire Service volunteer or their immediate family experiencing QFRS work-related problems.
FireCare considers Immediate Family to include a person’s spouse/de facto and children.
When should I seek help?
You should seek help from a Peer Support Officer or FireCare Counsellor if you notice changes in:
- The way you feel
- An increase in your alcohol, tobacco and other drugs use
- Any decline in your relatinoships with others
- Any persistent change of behaviour that is not normal for yourself
Are you interested in becoming a Peer Support Officer?
If you are an employee or volunteer of the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service and possess the necessary Personal Qualities, then you may be eligible to become a Peer Support Officer. An Application Form can be downloaded, completed and returned to the FireCare office – qfrsfirecare@emergency.qld.gov.au
The decision to continue the application at all stages of the process will be at the discretion of the Manager, FireCare.
To become a Peer Support Officer, an applicant must successfully complete Phase 1, 2 and 3 of the Certificate IV in Peer Support.
For more information refer to: Statement of Agreement / Code of Ethics / Personal Qualities / PSO Application Form / Training
Last updated 06 March 2008
Other languages