Bernalillo County Fire Rescue Peer Support Program Policy PDF

**PURPOSE** The purpose of the peer support policy is to establish roles, training, and procedures for team members that are willing to help the members of our department and neighboring departments. **POLICY** It is the policy of the Bernalillo County Fire Department (BCFD) to provide a support...

**PURPOSE** The purpose of the peer support policy is to establish roles, training, and procedures for team members that are willing to help the members of our department and neighboring departments. **POLICY** It is the policy of the Bernalillo County Fire Department (BCFD) to provide a support network by having trained members of a Peer Support Team who can work with individuals one on one. The Bernalillo County Fire Department recognizes the importance of supporting its members through times of crisis and personal struggles. **PROCEDURE** - Peer Support Team Coordinator -- will develop criteria for Peer Support Team members, organize and may lead trainings for team members, provide a list of Peer Support Team members on the Personal Wellness SharePoint page, and will facilitate quarterly meetings of the team members. - Peer Support Team Member -- will attend required training and meetings; provide a phone number that they may be contacted at for support. - Team members need the following courses: - Individual Crisis Intervention and Peer Support from the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF). - Group Crisis Intervention from the ICISF. - Mental Health First Aid - Also recommended is the Advanced Individual Crisis Intervention and Peer Support from the ICISF (Optional). I. **PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM** - The peer support team is made up of our own BCFD personnel that have taken classes in supporting our members during tough times and have agreed to volunteer their time. - The peer support program can be viewed as a starting point to empower our personnel in getting help. - The program is designed to offer our members trained peers to talk to when they are having issues in their life, on or off duty. - Peer Support team members can act as a mediator for people who are trying to resolve issues at the lowest level and don't want to involve management or union. - Peer Support Team members are also a resource if you need assistance in getting information and can't find it. They can help you locate: - Bernalillo County Employee Assistance Program (EAP) information - IAFF Membership Assistance Program (MAP) information - Or other crisis information provided through the Chaplain's office II. **PEER SUPPORT TEAM MEMBER CALL OUT** - A contact list of Peer Support Team members will be posted - On the Personal Wellness SharePoint page under Peer Support - On the bulletin boards at each station - When using this resource both parties will agree on a time and place to meet. - Because this is a Department program, parties are directed to meet in a public setting, to ensure the safety of all that are involved. Review/Revised - 6/6/2017 - Updated the Purpose and Policy statements - Added Mental Health First Aid as a required training item