Peer Support / CISM

Section 1 - ADMINISTRATIVE

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this policy is to establish a behavioral health support network for Maitland Fire Rescue Department personnel. The Peer Support Program will serve as a resource for fire department personnel seeking assistance when experiencing behavioral health concerns. The program will also provide periodic training and information to educate all members of the fire department.

GENERAL STATEMENTS:

Emergency response personnel face more than physical risks. The psychological consequences of exposure to trauma in the fire service can result in high levels of burnout, long-term emotional difficulties and other life-disrupting problems.

Definitions:

Peer Support Team - A comprehensive list of employees who are members of the Maitland Fire Rescue Department and who have been trained to assist other first responders who are experiencing any concerns related to their behavioral health. The Peer Support Team may also include retirees and other designated persons, i.e. chaplains.

Health Professional - An individual who is licensed to assist employees experiencing behavioral health concerns. Health Professionals include, but are not limited to: Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Psychotherapists, Family and Marriage Counselors and Addiction Counselors. Health Professionals utilized by the Peer Support Team will be licensed, trained and experienced in counseling first responder personnel.

Behavioral health – Encompasses all facets of mental health including substance abuse, depression, anxiety, PTSD and any other emotional or psychological problems

Mandated Reporter – Any person who is aware or made aware of abuse, sexual abuse, abandonment, or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult is required to immediately report to the central abuse hotline in writing, via the toll-free phone number, or through electronic reporting. Reporting requirements are outlined by Florida State Statutes 39.201 and 415.1034.

Confidentiality
Confidentiality is integral to the Peer Support Program. Except as outlined below, all participants agree to protect the confidentiality of those for whom assistance is provided. Peer support team members will not share or divulge private information obtained while acting in a peer support capacity with any other employee, family member, friend, supervisor or management. Exception: If an individual is identified to pose an immediate threat to themselves or others, the Peer Support Team member will arrange immediate intervention as appropriate, up to and including requesting law enforcement intervention. Additionally, all Maitland Fire Rescue Department employees must act as Mandated Reporters when made aware of any reports of abuse as outline in FS 39.201 and FS 415.1034.

PROCEDURE:

• General Operating Procedures:
  • A list of Peer Support Team members, with contact information, will be posted at each station on the Peer Support bulletin board. Fire Department personnel will be able to contact any one of the members from the team based on their individual preference. Each member of the Peer Support Team will be responsible for making sure that their contact information is kept current. If a member of a Peer Support Team no longer wishes to be on the team, it is their responsibility to insure that their name is removed from the Peer Support Team list.
  • Peer support is to be considered informal. Once contact is made between a Peer Support Team member and an employee, they will determine together how they would like to converse or meet up.
  • Peer Support Team member and employee will be able to speak and work through the behavioral health concern together. If the issue is resolved or relieved, no other referral may be necessary.
  • Peer Support Team members will be able to refer Fire Department personnel to a health professional and/or the Fire Department’s appointed chaplains if the employee seeking help requests or agrees to further referral. A list of prescreened health professionals, who understand the unique aspects of our job, will be posted at each station on the Peer Support bulletin board.
  • If an employee chooses not to utilize the peer support program, they are encouraged to use the City's Employee Assistance Program and/or any other means to seek professional behavioral health help.

• Potentially Stressful Incident Procedure:
  

Examples of incidents that may call for Peer Support/CISM include but are not limited to:

• • Serious injury or death to a fellow emergency worker
  • Multiple casualty incidents
  • Suicide of a crewmember
  • Death of a child
  • Death or serious injury of a civilian resulting from emergency service operations
  • Prolonged or extraordinary rescue or recovery operations with expenditures of intense physical or emotional energy.
  • Intensive media coverage and scrutiny.
  • Note: Any incident may be deemed as a potentially stressful incident, based on the effect it has on the individual.
    
• When a Potentially Stressful Incident occurs:
  
  • The on-duty Battalion Chief will contact the Peer Support Coordinator (PSC) or their designee. They will provide details of the incident and names of involved crew members.
  • The Peer Support Coordinator will contact any on-duty peer support members to speak with the firefighters involved in the incident.
  • The firefighters and the peer support members (and their units if necessary) may be taken out of service while discussing the incident.
  • On-duty peer support members will determine what additional actions, if any, need to be taken.
  • The Peer Support team will follow up individually with the firefighters as necessary or as requested by the firefighter.
  • If CISM is deemed necessary, the Peer Support Coordinator, or their designee, will make arrangements for an immediate diffusing session and, if necessary, a formal debriefing within 72 hours of the incident.

• Special Considerations
  
  • If a firefighter is experiencing an immediate behavioral health crisis while on shift, and on scene of a 911 call, any peer support team member can assist them and has the ability to make a request to the incident commander or a fire officer that the firefighter be taken with them off scene. The incident commander or fire officer has the choice to reassign the firefighter to a different task or release the firefighter and peer support team member from the scene. If circumstances do not allow for the firefighter to be released from the scene, they should be released with a peer support member as soon as operationally possible. If the Battalion Chief is not on scene, they will be notified by the commanding officer.
  • If a firefighter is experiencing an immediate behavioral crisis while on shift, but not on scene of a 911 call, the Battalion Chief will be contacted and will be informed that the firefighter and peer support member assisting them (and their units if necessary) will be taken out of service. No other information will need to be provided to the Battalion Chief at that time. If the firefighter experiencing a behavioral health crisis needs to leave for the rest of the shift, the Battalion Chief will be notified, and the firefighter will be placed on unscheduled leave for the remainder of the shift.

• Peer Support Program Training
  • Peer Support Team:
    • At a minimum, individuals that serve on the Peer Support Team will have successfully completed the IAFF Peer Support Team training program or other approved course. All Peer Support Team Members will complete at least 8 hours of continued education training each calendar year. The training will be approved and/or provided by the Peer Support Coordinator or their designee. Training will be coordinated through the Division Chief of Training.
    • New members wishing to join the Peer Support Team will make their request known to the Peer Support Coordinator or designee. The Peer Support Coordinator will coordinate with Fire Administration to get the requesting person into an approved peer support training program.
  • All Personnel:
    • At minimum, formal Behavioral Health Training will be provided to all members annually. The Peer Support Coordinator will coordinate with the Chief of Training to schedule and provide this training, which will be related to behavioral health awareness, prevention, mitigation, and treatment.