1. PEER SUPPORT – FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC PEER SUPPORT – FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC col. PhDr. Zuzana Vrbová Head psychologist Fire & Rescue Service of the Czech Republic General Directorate 1

2. Teams of post traumatic intervention care of F&R Service 14 departments in the Czech republic (in each department – 1 psychologist of F&R Service)  14 regional teams of post traumatic intervention care regional coordinators – relevant regional psychologists central coordination – head psychologist of F&R Service In the Czech republic, psychological care is stated in the law about security forces. Internal norms of Fire & Rescue Service about psychological care and about peer-support system.

3. Peers = volonteers Interview before acceptation to the system of training with each candidate :  aims: 1. Uncover motivation 2. Find out knowledge of peer support system 3. Uncover soft skills – self-relfection - emotional stability - communication skills - ability to solve problems - ability to start contact other people  the quality of personality of each peer-supporter is important in addition to training and knowledge.

4. Peers are trained in: CISM (40 hours) First psychological aid (20 hours) + 3 day training each year (theory, model situations, case reports)

5. Training of peers

6. Number of peers Actual number - 200 peers Continuous progressive training of others firefighters Ideal number – 1 peer in each workshift?

7. In Internal norms of Fire & Rescue Service about peer-support system:  List of potential traumatic events when the management or commander should activate peers:

8. Potential traumatic events A health or life threatening situation An especially tragic event or a disaster A witnesses to victims of multiple injuries, cases of cruel death A death of a colleague A deceased or seriously injured child A death of a victim of an accident during a rescue operation An unsuccessful rescue operation A sudden loss of shelter An intensive feeling of fear, helplessness or extreme disgust

9. Lists of members of teams of peers in each fire brigade station including - contact information (telephone number, fire brigade station, photograph) - brief information about post traumatic care

11. 11 Activities of peers Support for colleagues – colleague support, colleague counselling, liaison to other care personnel etc. Support for victims of disasters – (first on-site of accident) - psychological first aid, on accident site information dissemination, liaison to other care personnel

12. Regular field training excercises

13. Peer with an unhurt passenger - figurant

16. Documentation of activities Record of activity of each peer Records of the coordinator Annual statistics

17. Thank you for your attention. zuzana.vrbova@grh.izscr.cz + 420 950 819 807 + 420 602 705 947