Opportunity to join Peer Support Program

 

Expressions of interest are open for volunteers to join the more than 170 dedicated volunteers across the state who are part of CFA’s Peer Support Program.

 

CFA’s Peer Support Program has been providing vital wellbeing and mental health support to members and families across the state for more than 30 years. And its success is down to our members.

This team of highly trained and experienced peers make themselves available across the state in times of need to talk to members about difficult or potentially traumatic life events whether personal in nature or in relation to being a member of CFA.

Through the program they support their fellow members through peer-to-peer mental health and wellbeing support, referring them to relevant support services where appropriate.

In the past year, CFA’s peers provided 2,800 hours of support to members with the top three reasons for the interaction being motor vehicle collisions, personal/family-related matters and bereavement.

The importance of the program was no more apparent than during the 2019-20 fire season where peers were deployed alongside strike teams to provide a consistent point of contact for support and care.

Pakenham brigade captain Chris Poulton and Mildura brigade’s Junior leader and firefighter Geraldine Garraway are among this year’s new tranche of 16 peers, completing their training in Kalorama in October.

Chris has had personal experience with the program and said he put his hand up to be a peer because he wanted to be in a position to provide that support for someone else.

“I had experience speaking to a CFA peer a few years ago when my cousin, who was a career firefighter, passed away,” he said.

“At the time I didn’t think I needed help - but that support was invaluable.  Helping people has been a passion of mine for some time. People have always felt comfortable opening up to me and sharing their experience so I felt that I could build on that by joining the program.”

As a kid, Geraldine saw her father carry the burden of the incidents he attended during his time as a CFA volunteer.

“There wasn’t a program like the Peer Support Program in place to support members at that time,” she said.

“I saw him and his fellow volunteers carry their experiences. With programs like this, there’s no need to carry the burden of trauma through life like members have in the past. There is support available.”

Both Chris and Geraldine came away from the training with a better understanding of others and themselves.

“The training was intensive but was one of the best courses I’ve done during my time at CFA,” Chris said. “It not only gave me knowledge of what peers do and how to direct people to available services, it gave me the tools to better understand why someone might be feeling or acting the way they are and how best to communicate with members who need support.

“I found it humbling that everyone was at the training for a similar reason and the same outcome - everyone got along and supported each other.”

“You come out of it with the confidence, knowledge and techniques to provide the best possible assistance and support to someone in their time of need,” Geraldine added. “And I know that if I have a question or need more information I can speak to someone in the Wellbeing team.”   

As new peers, Chris and Geraldine are looking forward to getting out and supporting their fellow members, and they encouraged other volunteers to get involved in the program.  

“Being part of the Peer team is a great opportunity to volunteer in a wellbeing role and look after our members and their families, especially those who, like my dad, are used to just getting on with it,” Geraldine said. 

“You also come away from the training with lifelong friends and a huge support network across Victoria.

“I want to be in a position to make a positive impact in someone’s life the way I was supported in my time of need,” Chris said. As a peer, I want to help remove the stigma around mental health; to let people know that it’s OK to not feel OK.”

If you are enthusiastic about volunteering to support your fellow members and their families, please register your interest here before Friday 15 December 2023. 

Members in districts 6, 16, 17, 20, 22 and 23 are strongly encouraged to express their interest in joining the program.

Members successful during the EOI process will be provided with comprehensive training and assessments in the use of Psychological First Aid to support individuals and groups and will be supported by our current Peers and the Organisational Wellbeing Team.

For further information, please email Peer.Admin@cfa.vic.gov.au or contact your local Peer Coordinator

CFA’s Peer Support Program spans both volunteers and staff.

For more information on the Peer Support Program visit Members Online.

 

 

Submitted by	Shaunnagh O'Loughlin