Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697645365600.pdf (Australia)
Submission for Inquiry into Mental Health for First Responders Andrew Picker Please note the following views and suggestions are made on my own behalf and do not represent any organization or service I have worked for or are otherwise associated with.

I wish to thank you for the opportunity to present information regarding the welfare of First Responders.

Our future and mental health is incredibly important to us and to the communites we work in.
Background I have been a professional firefighter since 2006 and have had the privilege to work with, and be friends with Ambulance Paramedics, Police Officers, Rescue Helicopter Crew, Industrial First Responders and Defence force members throughout my career.

Like all First Responders I have attended numerous traumatic incidents, It is an honour and privilege to help others, but just as we care for others we also need to be cared for.
A very well-respected Firefighter once told me “Any firefighter would be lying if they said they didn’t have some form of PTSD” Terms 1.

Critical Incident: an incident or event resulting in death, trauma, violence or risk to life, and is significant to a First Responder or the community.

2.

Exposure: witnessing or directly interacting in an incident involving death, trauma and distress.

3.
3.

Us: First Responders as a collective term – Police, Fire, Ambulance, Search and Rescue, Community safety, Public transport, industrial emergency service officers and Aviation medical staff.

Does not represent an individual, team, service, station or shift.

4.

We: First Responders as a collective term – Police, Fire, Ambulance, Search and Rescue, Community safety, Public transport, industrial emergency service officers and Aviation medical staff.
Does not represent an individual, team, service, station or shift.

1 The high rates of mental health conditions experienced by first responders, emergency service workers and volunteersSubmission 123 Notification of Inquiry As a professional firefighter I was alerted to the inquiry through friends watching ABC TV.

Unfortunately I, like many, did not know the Senate had initiated an inquiry, nor was I aware of the limited timeframe for the inquiry.
Could the committee consider extending the timeframe as well as promoting it within the First Responders community, so that those interested in responding to this inquiry have the opportunity to do so.

Impact of the Work on First Responders Our work as First Responders is not a sterile office environment.

We put our hearts and souls into our work.

We constantly risk our lives at work.

We have lost friends in our work.

Our families risk losing a son, a daughter, a father, a wife when we go to work.
We have had colleagues significantly burnt or injured, shot or wounded, beaten and bashed, fallen from heights and hit by vehicles.

We have had colleagues take their lives because of their experiences at work.

We have had colleagues suffer and sadly die from significant cancers because of workplace exposure.

Our actions or inactions are something we must carry with us for the rest of our lives.

It is because of this very great impact upon our wellbeing that we urgently need to be supported.
Some First Responders may forget or move on but for the majority the horror following the exposure to trauma remains.

Prevention of Mental Health Conditions I - Court Processes Reduce conviction and prosecution times The court processes for persons providing testimony evidence in Critical Incidents at committal hearings and trial is currently is too lengthy and burdensome.

Incidents can hang over the head of First Responders for years.
This does not allow for closure and allow First Responders to move on with life and forget horrors of the incident.

Allow First Responders to only make statements or deposition Is there truly a need to First Responders to appear in court and relive the incident in detail many years after the event?

Is that good for their mental health?

First Responders should be able to make a declaration and not to be required to appear in court.
If needed, make a deposition, trusting our position in the community, rather than be summonsed back to court years later to re-live the event in explicit detail.

II - Industrial Issues Industrial issues need timeframes set and held Industrial issues like EBA negotiations need support of all sides of government.
With high regard for mental health of First Responders, timeframes for negotiation and settlement of industrial issues need to be concluded in a timely manner, rather than drag on and cause concern for First Responders.
We want to come to work and do the very best for the community we serve, rather 2 The high rates of mental health conditions experienced by first responders, emergency service workers and volunteersSubmission 123 than worry about if we will have a job, what the job will look like, how the changes and attacks to our conditions will affect us and our work.
III- Debriefing Post Critical Incident, all First Responders should have access and the means to come together as a group and debrief regardless of service or rank.

From incidents such as a vehicle extrication, rail accident, amputation, marine rescue etc.

effort should be made by service providers to ensure all staff on-scene have access to attend post incident debriefings.

This could occur pre or post-shift, on days off or during work hours.
Firefighters or Police on scene very rarely get follow up on patient outcomes, often working in time critical environment.

Likewise, First Responders do not get to see full patient care or intervention; we do not get to learn why management or other services made decisions on what and why they did what they did, follow up on patient care and initial first aid, and most concerning of all we don’t get to follow up with fellow First Responders and track how they personally are travelling post incident.
A recent first, thanks to the Victorian Emergency Services Commissioner was an event held post incident for all services who were invited to attend a catch up at Flemington racecourse after the horrific Bourke Street Massacre.

It is events like this that will support Frequent Responders deal appropriately with critical events in their working life.

IV- Perception PTSD is often seen in the community as many things.

To some its weakness, a loss or a failure.


Lt Col Dave Grossman author of ‘On Killing’ and ‘On Combat’ speaks of responses to stress as normal, and that PTSD is curable.

These books should be considered mandatory reading for all First Responders.

We need to work towards changing the perception and stigma in the First Responder community, that PTSD is not a weakness and the injury is curable.
V- Media and other influences Media outlets need to be held accountable for negative or incorrect press towards First Responders.

How often is it we see articles critical of Police or First Responders actions?

Is this equal to the good press First Responders receive?

Is inaccurate or sensationalized news good for First Responders struggling with illness or injury?

Consideration needs to be made for the promotion and display of critical incidents, death, horror and gore.
Is there really a need for intrusive actions by the media on scene to film and photograph such details?

Can services and organisations work to promote good news stories, good press and the brave actions of their staff on what is a daily basis?

If services or organisations are not able to do so via regular media outlets, should a website or news service be set up via ABC or new outlets to promote the positive work of First Responders?
Photographers and news outlets should be prevented from filming and or photographing deceased persons, treatment/transport and area around such persons.

I respect the need for free press, but we also need to respect the victims, their families and first responders and consider preventing or restricting the photographing of and publication of deceased victims, even if their face is blurred.
Media display of such incidents creates concern and distress for families, the wider community and First Responders suffering or recovering from PTSD.

3 The high rates of mental health conditions experienced by first responders, emergency service workers and volunteersSubmission 123 VI- Exercise, Mindfulness, Sleep and Nutrition The basic personal habits of exercise, mindfulness, sleep and nutrition can have huge impacts on improving First Responders wellbeing and in turn their mental health.
Efforts need to be made for organisations and First Responders to have easy access to • Ongoing training and education regarding services or facilities that support exercise, mindfulness, sleep and nutrition, • Free access to Apps such as “One giant Mind” or “Headspace” that support meditation and mindfulness • Dietitians who can help prevent health issues from stress related eating problems.

The focus needs to be on Prevention rather treatment.
VII- Home life and support networks Where does a first responder turn to in a time of distress or need?

Frequently First Responders return off shift following a critical incident and seek support from their family and friends.

Too often families are ill equipped to provide support.

Families of First Responders need access to training and education on topics such as how to help after a critical incident, what supports are available, and what are signs of serious mental health issues?
How would a partner, a child or parent seek support for themselves or a First Responder after hours or on weekends?

Where do they find contact details?

Employers could consider providing a support person on call and available to all family and friends, as well as contact points for First Responders Supervisors.
Queensland Fire Service has a detailed contact list available online detailing support services, contact points and approved providers of treatment, which is available and accessible to all persons, rather than having to come into to station and access employers intranet to find contact points.

It would be useful for every service to offer this, a facility for all employees to find contact details, anywhere anytime.
As currently many services only allow access to intranet via work based computers, and details of support services, only on work intranet.

VII- Exposure to workplace Psychologists before incidents Workplaces need to build trust and relationships between First Responders and mental health support services provided to employees before critical incidents.
Currently many first responders have little interaction or opportunity to build trust and two-way report with workplace psychologists other than meeting them post incident.

This would be even harder for first responders working in remote or isolated areas.

Can we honestly say all First Responder’s would you trust someone you don’t know, or have never met before, who appears to represent an employer post incident?

Would the response be different if there way significant age gaps between the two?
Or if the first responder has been criticized for his or her actions on scene?

4 The high rates of mental health conditions experienced by first responders, emergency service workers and volunteersSubmission 123 Treatment and Support Services I - Operational support Many charities and services exist who support First Responders, but it is questioned which services are getting to First Responders who require them and their availability to those in need.
If First Responders are sick or injured it is too late.

First Responders should know what services are available and how to access them, before injury occurs.

We need independent data about which services directly serve and interact with First Responders and which services are being used by First Responders.
The government could consider the establishment of a Federal Initiative that oversees the workplaces and welfare of all First Responders to ensure that all responders are receiving access to support services equally regardless of their service; For example a Rescue Helicopter Pilot contracted to a State Ambulance service should have access to the same care the Paramedic in the back of the helicopter, flying to the same job, the same trauma, has access to, regardless of employer or subcontractor.
Is it fair for a Police officer in one State is provided with any more or less support than a Police officer or Firefighter in the next State or Territory?

Posters and cards go onto walls, but how many charities or organisations directly interact with First Responders?

How much is just noise?

Is the current support the best we can offer?

Are First Responders or their management, supervisors and academics reviewing the services?

Why or why not are First Responders accessing such services?
II- Recognition of Actions How long does it take for recognition of actions post incident?

Are formal awards or recognition held up by bureaucratic process?

What is a fair timeframe for First Responders?

Why are some First Responders awarded by other services before their own service?

No First Responder works for reward or recognition other than helping the community.
In saying that, medals and awards play an important part in of care for first responders, the formal recognition of service, heroics, accomplishment and actions at critical incidents often without regard for own safety need not go unnoticed.

Approval, awarding and distribution of such recognition needs to be faster.

At present the process is often delayed until after committal, trials and other court process have concluded before any recognition of bravery or actions is formally acknowledged.
This is too late for those that are ill or injured.

It does not help First Responders’ mental state to have such years later, again reliving an event that they and their family have hoped to forget.

Could we consider better national awards and recognition, streamlined for faster recognition?

i.e.

a national body set up to administer and record who was at the incident, and if so, who should be formally recognized?
Does government have the ability to arrange an annual national ceremony and get together for awards, which allows for services to share their stories and networking between services.

Including possibly ill or injured First Responders, whom may or may not have returned to work.

An example of ongoing slow process is Black Saturday bushfires 2009.

To this day numerous First Responders who were off duty volunteering their time have not received recognition whilst others have for the Incident.
Professional First Responders and civilians who traveled Australia wide where ineligible for the medal issued as they were off duty, volunteering their time at the 5 The high rates of mental health conditions experienced by first responders, emergency service workers and volunteersSubmission 123 incident, or the applications for such medal are still waiting to be considered by the National Emergency Medal Committee at their next meeting.
Unfortunately after more than a year, a date has still not been set for this meeting.

First Responders don’t do it for the thanks or formal recognition, but if it does occur it should be fair and even for all.

III- National Skill Transferal Can a First Responder transfer to the same job, same rank interstate?

In 2018, First Responders are still unable to transfer between state or territory services.
Some ill or injured First Responders may have better care or outcomes being closer to friends or family inter-state.

First Responders should be able to transfer from one to another state or territory service doing the same job, at the same rank without having to go through the challenging recruitment and initial training process as a civilian with no experience or service history.
Fire service employment is highly competitive, and many First Responders young and old, have moved states to obtain employment, often away from support networks of friends and family.

First Responders are often required to forfeit employment to move back home to friends or family when suffering from mental illness.
To prevent illness occurring, or to support First Responders struggling with burnout, exposure or PTSD, states and territories need to consider national registration, national qualifications and the ability to transfer between state and territory.
There may be differences in workplace procedures, but at the end of the day, regardless of service - Police, Firefighters or Ambulance crew, the principles of our work, of assisting the community to the best of our ability is always the same regardless of state boarders.

IV- Time off First Responders take many years to train and become qualified.

Unfortunately many emergency services have the rule that if you leave, you are gone for good.
Very few First Responders can gain re-employment after resigning from their work.

For whatever reason services see staff as out, not to return.

This time off, or time away in another role, maybe all a First Responder needs to recover.

Could services consider resources and support to retrain, access study, find new employment or take time off with the ability to return after time away?

V- Physical support What physical support services exist for First Responders?
Pubs and bars are open late, are there healthier options?

If a First Responder comes off a week of night shifts (as is often the case), or is awake from stress in the middle of the night, where can they go?

Support services like the NSW Police Recon program (which offers staff gym, psych, physio and dietician services in one location) need to be established throughout Australia and be available to all First Responders.

Offering a 24-hour hub for fitness, training, study and networking.
State and federal governments could develop hubs where First Responders are always welcome, the lights are always on, offering support and friendship as well as food, music, gym equipment, reading matter etc within a positive and safe environment.
6 The high rates of mental health conditions experienced by first responders, emergency service workers and volunteersSubmission 123 Firefighters are fortunate that they have access to a gym on station, but we are unable to access it in the middle of the night, or when off duty.

What services other services such as Paramedics or Rescue Helicopter Crews have?

Hubs could have a dog or an animal similar to Ambulance Victoria’s Labrador.

Would it have a garden?

Would it have yoga, meditation?


Curated, positive documentaries about adventure and travel rather than mindless TV chatter?

A home away from home?

All these need to be considered.

VI- Peer Support services Government needs to consider national organizations, training and oversight of First Responder peer program.

Peer programs need standards, national codes of practice and oversight to ensure best case outcomes for First Responders.
Peers need to be held accountable for their workplace behaviors and actions, and disciplined or removed if they do not act in a manor that promotes confidentiality and positive mental health.

Regular, free nation-wide training needs to be provided to any First Responder that is a high quality and is relative to the task.

Peers need to be voted and selected peers, rather than non-operational staff, management as a true representative of the work group.
Consideration needs to be made to include all ages, so First Responders have the ability to contact someone of their generation to discuss their concerns, rather than have huge generational gaps and boundaries.

VII- Education for all First Responders to a national standard ADF Soldiers are trained and educated for stress control, resilience and emotion regulation, why are First Responders not?
Consider having ADF staff train First Responders in breathing techniques, positive self-talk, stress inoculation, goal setting and visualization, all of which are battlefield proven in recent global war on terror, helping to reduce mental health conditions.

Have soldiers, the real men and women, boots on the ground staff teach other First Responders, with real life skills and experience rather than just PowerPoint slides, videos or academics, which all have their place and purpose.
Build a stronger more resilient community from people who are proud to have been there and experienced it first-hand.

VIII- Bullying prevention Government could consider supporting and monitoring staff and organisations to prevent bullying or perceived bullying by staff within First Responder’s workplaces.

Staff should not be bullies or disadvantaged due to industrial involvement, union or association membership.
Sadly, I quote a fellow First Responder “In 2018 bullying is still the elephant in the room.” IX- Modification of rosters Give staff modified roster that allows for rest and deep sleep post-critical incident.

Sleep allows First Responders to process the event and move on to normality.

X- National Fund Government could consider setting up a national fund and allow treatment for PTSD without question post incident.
Allowing free, fast and regular access to treatment rather than attending a GP, filling out Workcover paperwork, having injury and circumstances assessed and regular interference by Workcover insurers.
Sadly, it only takes one search to find numerous stories of First Responders being denied treatment or being followed or investigated by Workcover insurers 7 The high rates of mental health conditions experienced by first responders, emergency service workers and volunteersSubmission 123 when suffering from PTSD.

These stories result in rumours, skepticism and additional worry to PTSD sufferers.
XI- Fund further education National fund for higher First Responder education Currently if First Responders want to undertake further study to improve their workplace and performance, generally it is done in their own time and at their own expense.

There are few scholarships or funding opportunities available to First Responders.
Government could consider funding further education for First Responders supporting those who wish to work in emergency care as a workplace counsellor, psychologist, or medical professional with a view to caring for fellow First Responders.

Funding could be available to First Responders who wish to help and assist fellow First Responders.

I am certain such an initiative would improve morale and staff retention rates.
Paramedics study for four plus years to obtain a degree and employment as a paramedic, yet then have a career expectancy of only 5 years.

What happens to them when they are tired, burnt out or its time to move on?

Employers should offer further training, education or assistance to support the First Responders.

XII- Padres and welfare officers Is there a need for more Padres and Welfare officers?

Can government please consider the creation of a network of padres and welfare officers nationwide?
If a critical incident were to occur these officers and padre would be able to mobilize and attended nationwide for initial care.

United Firefighters Union Victoria branch has recently established a welfare officer, a trusted ex Federal Police officer that has had significant impacts on the mental health for First Responders.

This welfare officer is working as an independent support person between the Union, Employer and First Responders.
XIII- Network of First Responders for First Responders Establish a contact group of First Responders, nationwide who are willing to take a call, in their own time, to listen to and assist fellow First Responders, regardless of service, location or rank.

If a First Responder in outback Queensland is struggling he or she, should be able to pick up the phone, and have a range of fellow First Responders they can call, anytime.
To have a chat, let some stream off, cry, scream or honestly talk about how they are feeling, without fear of judgment by a fellow First Responder who has also gone through similar struggles or pain.

XIV – State and national working parties Comprised of first responders, elected by peers to represent work groups to research and disseminate information about best practices and current trends in care and support services for First Responders.
Consideration needs to be made to include young members of each service, rather than elect persons based on rank.

XV – National retreat and care facilities Consider establishing an external retreat facility open to first responders to spend short periods of time with like-minded persons to allow recovery, treatment, education and positive activities.

Attendance could be elected by Employer, Union, Fellow first responders or the individual.
8 The high rates of mental health conditions experienced by first responders, emergency service workers and volunteersSubmission 123 Provide opportunity to undertake meaningful activity in an attractive environment like Byron Bay NSW, where first responders can be given a short paid period of time off, to attend and be supported post critical incident, whilst still being able to provide for their family.
Current services exist at huge costs, more than most First Responders monthly wage, which makes it inaccessible for most.

Retreat Activities could include yoga, mindfulness exercises, adventures, sports, fishing and other physical ability that allows the first responder to be actively present and engaged, rather than focused on past incidents.

First Responder Deaths When is a First Responder’s death work related?

Who deems it to be work related, and what happens if it is?
The death of all First Responders who are considered physically fit and healthy should be investigated whether they were at work at the time of death or not.

Given the high exposure to critical incidents unexpected deaths in First Responders should be followed up in order to support the prevention of work-related deaths.
Questions need to be asked about the circumstances leading to the death and mental health of the First Responder, such as; - Had they been recently exposed to critical incidents, - Had they been injured resulting in lack of activity, - Had they been assaulted physically or verbally on scene, - Had they missed out on a course or promotion, - Had they been moved station, - Had there been other deaths or suicides of colleagues, - Were there ongoing/outstanding court matters, - What else may have contributed to the victim’s mental health state, - Were there any other extenuating work-related circumstances.
Conclusion As a First Responder I am very lucky to work with some of the most caring, dedicated and knowledgeable people in Australia.

I hope we can all work together with the support of government to improve mental health by establishing all hours hubs for First Responders, for national recognition of skills, and ability to transfer interstate.

Importantly First Responders must be provided with the very best care and support from their employers regardless of service or location.
Finally, First Responders need to be given every support and opportunity to help themselves and their colleagues whenever and wherever the need arises.

Every encouragement needs to be given to First Responders to be healthy and happy members of their teams so that they can continue to provide the essential services we all depend on.

IF ANY FIRST RESPONDER IS READING THIS AND WOULD LIKE TO CHAT, regardless of service, age, rank or location, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GIVE ME CALL ANYTIME.
or text and I will call you back.

9 The high rates of mental health conditions experienced by first responders, emergency service workers and volunteersSubmission 123