Township council has approved implementation of a process to identify post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among local firefighters and provide both peer-driven and professional assistance with treatment.
On May 24 council approved a recommendation from Fire Chief Rick Richardson that a traumatic event post-incident procedure be adopted and adapted to identify and treat potential first responder victims of traumatic events attended by Mapleton Fire/Rescue.
A written report from Richardson explains that mental illness, PTSD and occupational stress injuries are on the rise in the fire service province-wide.
“A shared goal for members of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC), their employers and members of the fire department is to ensure that supports are in place to prevent, and treat, if necessary, those impacted by mental illness,” the report states.
The OAFC has partnered with the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) to implement the Road to Mental Readiness (R2MR), a mental health training program, into the fire service across the province. The course has been adapted from its original format in the Department of National Defense and police sector in partnership with the MHCC to fit the needs of fire services, the report explains.
R2MR trained members will be able to recognize situations where they, or their peers, require intervention and/or assistance.
The post-event procedure involves having incident commanders assessing incidents to determine when a potentially traumatic situation is encountered.
Professional assistance for the group involved would then be scheduled. Any individual requiring further consultation will be encouraged to meet with the station R2MR personnel or a professional agency as required.
The report notes two members of the Wellington County Fire Chiefs Association have taken the R2MR leadership course and two members from each station are encouraged to take the R2MR primary course to provide peer counselling to members and identify potential PTSD cases and utilize follow-up procedures.
“This is something that’s been long overdue as far as I’m concerned,” Richardson told council.
