Proactive Approach to Mental Health and Wellbeing: Mental Heath Awareness Training: This training educates responders on the signs and symptoms of mental heath challenges, such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Thus, equipping them with the knowledge to recognize these issues in themselves and their colleagues. Team Support and Unity: The initiative emphasizes the importance of camaraderie and peer support. First responders are encouraged to lean on one another and foster strong supportive relationships within their teams to enhance personal and collective physical, mental, and emotional resilience. Interagency Collaboration: The initiative promotes close cooperation between all first responder agencies to include: Flagler County Fire Rescue, Palm Coast Fire Department, Flagler Beach Fire Department, Flagler County Sheriff's Office, and local hospitals. Maintaining open communication and a spirit of teamwork, and ensures that mental health support is accessible to all responder across all agencies. Counseling: Confidential resources are available through My Health Onsite, SMA, and EAP (Employee Assistance Program) for first responders to seek mental health counseling and support for personal or professional issues. It offers a variety of services including: personal and family counseling, addictions support, and financial counseling. Crisis Response: Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Program: This program provides immediate, structured interventions for responders exposed to particularly traumatic or stressful events. Key elements include: Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD), Peer support Networks, and One-on-one Counseling. Joint Crisis Response Teams: Flagler County Fire Rescue works with local law enforcement and healthcare providers to develop coordinated responses to mental health crises. This collaboration ensures that responders receive the consistent and timely care, both during and after critical incidents. Suicide Prevention: Flagler County Fire Rescue is committed to promoting health and wellness initiatives aimed at preventing mental health crises among first responders. For individuals facing unmanageable situations and contemplating suicide immediate resources are available, including the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 and a dedicated peer support team. Aftercare and Long-Term Support: Following major incidents, Flagler County Fire Rescue ensures that responders have access to follow-up mental health support. Ongoing mental health "check-ins" can be in the form of one-on-one sessions, group debriefings, or continued counseling. Each responder affected by a major incident will be provided with a tailored recovery plan, which may include continued counseling, lifestyle adjustments, and coping mechanisms to facilitate recovery over time.
Reduce the incidence of PTSD, anxiety, and other mental health challenges among first responders, as well as building upon Post Traumatic Stress Growth (PTSG) Ensure timely access to professional mental health resources for all responders. Promote a culture of mental well-being and reduce the stigma around seeking help. Improve the long-term psychological resilience of responders. Foster a supportive and collaborative environment between Flagler County Fire Rescue, local law enforcement, and healthcare providers.
Therapy K-9 Program The Therapy K-9 Program was introduced to provide crucial comfort and support to those who need it most during traumatic events or circumstances.
Peer Support Prgram The mission of The Peer Support Program is to create a culture of trust and understanding, allowing firefighters to seek guidance and emotional support from colleagues who share their experiences.
C.I.S.M. (Critical Incident Stress Management) Team The mission of Flagler County Fire Rescue ‘s CISM team is to provide immediate crisis intervention services to emergency response, hospital, and law enforcement throughout Flagler County.