Graduates join CFA’s Peer Team

Deanna Simmons receives her certificate from CEO Natalie MacDonald

CFA’s new Corporate Peer Team members were presented with their graduation certificates by CEO Natalie MacDonald at a special ceremony in late March.

The Corporate Peer Team is the fifteenth Peer Team within CFA and brings the number of CFA Peers to more than 170.

The team is made up of 24 members of staff from right across the state including PTA staff (Burwood HQ and District offices), District Mechanical Officers and a Tower Overseer.  

Eight peers have joined the Corporate Peer Team from existing peer teams across the state – all have been through comprehensive training and assessment process including courses in mental health and psychological first aid.

At each stage members were supported by CFA’s existing volunteer Peer Team members.

The Corporate Peer Team will continue to work closely with the district-based Peer teams across the state to ensure CFA members have another option for connecting with Wellbeing support.

Natalie encouraged members to reach out and utilise the program should they need to.

“I am so impressed with the level of commitment and enthusiasm from our corporate team members in volunteering to support their colleagues,” Natalie said.

“Having someone to reach out to is invaluable; that first conversation can make a world of difference.”

Organisational Wellbeing Manager Suzanne Leckie said like all CFA Peers, Corporate Peer Team members were available to talk about difficult or potentially traumatic life events whether they be about personal issues or related to work.

“Our Corporate Peers were not only highly trained, their first-hand experience means they have a unique insight into what our people experience on a day-to-day basis,” Suzanne said.

“Those who have accessed the Peer Program know and understand the invaluable support the service provides to members and their families.”

You can arrange to talk to a Peer by calling the Wellbeing Support Line, contacting Wellbeing Intake or by contacting the Corporate Peer Team Coordinator Fiona McKinnon.

To meet the Corporate Peer Team or for further information on the Peer Program visit Members Online.

CFA’s Peer Support Program began in the 1980s following the Ash Wednesday fires with the aim of providing high-standard psychological first aid to operational volunteers.

The need to evolve the program to include a Corporate Peer Team was identified in recent years, and more urgently highlighted after the 2019/20 fire season, with many staff working in incident control centres supporting frontline firefighters in a high-pressure and potentially traumatic environment.

A further opportunity for staff to get involved in and join the Corporate Peer Team will be made available mid-2021 with further details to follow.

Access CFA's Wellbeing Support Line

If you are not okay, or if you notice a change in someone you know, contact the CFA Wellbeing Support Line on 1800 959 232 to access free, confidential support that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

These services are available to all CFA members and their immediate family.

The support services include the Member Assistance Program, Peer Support, Chaplaincy Program as well as other services provided by the Organisational Wellbeing team.

 

 

Submitted by	CFA News