Corporate peer team boost as new members graduate program
Our newest corporate peers have been formally welcomed into CFA’s Peer Team after successfully completing a comprehensive training and assessment program.
The group of 13 new peers were presented with their graduation certificates at a ceremony in Melbourne on 22 October.
They were joined by CEO Greg Leach AFSM and Senior Manager Organisational Wellbeing Suzanne Leckie as well as several of their fellow corporate peers who attended to lend support to their new counterparts.
The Corporate Peer Team was established during the pandemic and now includes more than 40 PTA staff, District Mechanical Officers and Tower Overseers.
This latest corporate cohort join a respected team of volunteer and corporate peers supporting the wellbeing of members across the state. View more about our Peers
Peer Support State Lead Tim Rogers said the graduation was an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the hard work, dedication and commitment of the newest members of the Corporate Peer Team.
“Each peer completes a comprehensive training and assessment process, including theoretical learning, practical scenarios, role plays and assessments,” Tim said.
“Reaching this milestone is a significant achievement. It takes considerable time, effort and dedication all while balancing existing CFA responsibilities, work, family and other commitments.
“A big thank you to our newest corporate peer team members for volunteering their time to provide mental health and wellbeing support to their colleagues. The Peer Program is the foundation on which everything in our wellbeing program is built."
CFA members and their families can access the Peer Support Program through the Wellbeing Support Line by calling 1800 959 232, selecting option ‘2’ and then the relevant peer team (volunteer or corporate).
What is peer support?
Peer Support members volunteer to provide mental health and wellbeing support to fellow members and their immediate families.
A peer’s role is to listen to the person they are supporting, reflect and provide them with options to consider on how they might approach or deal with an issue. This could be about difficult or potentially traumatic life events whether personal in nature or related to being a CFA member.
Supported by the Organisational Wellbeing Team, they play a crucial role in connecting members to CFA’s wellbeing services, helping them engage with and access appropriate support.
Prior to joining the program, prospective peers complete training in foundation skills and psychological first aid with several scenario-based role plays and case studies.
The Peer Support Program has a long and proud history within CFA, dating back to the mid-1980s. In the past four decades, the program has continued to grow and evolve, becoming an important and highly valued part of the wellbeing support available to our members.
The program has had a positive impact during critical times for CFA including the 2009 fires, the 2019-20 fires, the 2022 floods, the 2025-26 fires and interstate deployments.