Welfare Support and Recovery

The response to the recent fires has not only required a mass mobilisation of firefighters, it has also required the activation of a multitude of welfare support workers. The response has been led by CFA’s Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) peers, with the additional services of chaplains, counsellors and psychologists.

As a professional emergency service organisation that deals with emergencies as part of ‘normal business’, our people are remarkably resilient to the stress and trauma that can understandably arise.

However, it’s also quite normal to be affected by terrifying and devastating sights, or even to be troubled by hearing others recount their experiences. We know from our own experience and research into critical incidents and trauma that most people will work through their feelings and reactions, and in time recover without the need for psychological intervention.

Supporting each other

Soon (if not already) we will be at the stage in the recovery process where people will turn to their communities for strength and support. For CFA members, their brigade is a community where they can come together and start to get back into routine or familiar activities.

Simple things that a brigade can do to support themselves and each other might include arranging casual get togethers, activities where members can reconnect – perhaps a BBQ, working bee or movie night.

These social activities are crucially important to the recovery process for brigades.

The Member Welfare page on CFA Online has been updated to include more information and tips on how to look after yourself and others, including coping with grief and loss, dealing with fatigue, and supporting children through a crisis.

For those who have lost property in the fires, there is also information about getting assistance with insurance claims and applying for replacement birth, marriage or change of name certificates.

Of course, there is also welfare support available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for CFA members and their families.

Go to the updated Member Welfare page for more information.

If you feel as though you could use it, remember, support is available.