Basic Peer Support

This three-day course brings participants together that have been selected as peer supporters by their departments or agencies on a volunteer basis from all ranks and positions within the workplace. Throughout this class participants will acquire supportive skills, which are designed to help them assist their co-workers who are experiencing a variety of life crisis situations, who feel comfortable talking to someone that has “been there” and understands what it’s like to work “their jobs”.

Peer support provides a way for employees and their family members to confidentially talk about personal/professional problems with specially trained co-workers who understand and want to help. Their primary function is to LISTEN, ASSESS and whenever necessary, REFER to professional counselors, and are taught to complement those services provided by mental health professionals.

Class Topics

• Developing a Peer Support Program
• Self-Disclosure
• Active Listening/Paraphrasing
• Crisis Intervention Techniques
• Dealing with Depression and Suicide Situations
• Grief and Mourning
• Line-of-Duty-Deaths
• Critical Incident Stress Management
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Diversity in Public Safety (LGBTQ)
• Substance Abuse

POST – Certification # 7180-22650 (Plan IV)
Continuing Education for Fire Personnel EMSA # 62 2032