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Home My WebLink About104.005 - Peer Support TeamEffective Date: October 2007 Keola J. Park, Battalion Chief Current Revision Date: 12/11/2025 Section 104.005 Next Revision (1) Date: 12/11/2029 Page 1 of 6 Fresno City Fire Department 100 Administrative Manual SECTION 104.005 PEER SUPPORT TEAM PURPOSE To establish clear guidelines for the establishment and organization of a Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department) Peer Support Team. The Peer Support Program is a collaborative labor-management effort that provides confidential support to all active and retired FFD members, in alignment with California Assembly Bill 1116 (AB - 1116), Firefighter Peer Support and Crisis Referral Services Act. Team members are trained to deliver education, on-scene support, and post-incident interventions, including defusing and debriefing, while maintaining awareness of department resources and support pathways. Mission Statement: To provide care and support for the mental well-being of our members and their families. APPLICATION The Peer Support Team provides education, assessment, support services, and referrals for behavioral health concerns commonly faced in the fire service. The team’s primary role is to assist members both on and off duty by offering timely support and professional resources to help manage stress reactions that may impact their performance or well- being. OPERATIONAL POLICY The Peer Support Program is a voluntary initiative made up of trained members from all divisions of the department, specializing in stress management, crisis intervention, and effective communication. Participation in any support services or referrals is entirely optional. Confidentiality is strictly upheld unless there is a risk of harm to themselves or others, or if the member gives permission to share information. OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE Team members are trained in critical incident stress management but are not licensed counselors or therapists. They serve as trained peers who provide support, guidance, and resources during emotionally challenging situations in a confidential setting. Peer support is not a substitute for professional counseling but can help connect members to Effective Date: October 2007 Keola J. Park, Battalion Chief Current Revision Date: 12/11/2025 Section 104.005 Next Revision (1) Date: 12/11/2029 Page 2 of 6 appropriate professional services when needed. The team focuses efforts in three general areas related to behavioral health: • Education • Assessment/Support Services • Referrals to outside resources Education: Department members are consistently exposed to many types of stressors throughout their fire service careers. Understanding the impact of these stressors, strategies to build resilience, as well as resources available to members during times of crisis are important to the overall safety and well-being of our members. The team provides ongoing education through: • Awareness level training to Fire Department members. • Group processes such as defusing and debriefing. • During peer-to-peer interactions. Assessment/Support Services: The team can provide behavioral health support to members both on and off duty. The specific support offered is tailored to fit the situation and/or the needs of individual members. These services include: • Peer-to-Peer: Informal conversations with a trained team member is the most common interaction and may occur at any appropriate time and place. • Defusing: A brief, informal group session led by one or two team members, typically conducted after units return to quarters following a potentially traumatic incident. The purpose is to provide immediate support, share initial reactions, identify the need for a formal debriefing, and help stabilize members before they go home or return to service. Sessions generally lasts from thirty (30) to sixty (60) minutes but may go longer and are best conducted within one (1) to four (4) hours after a critical incident. Effective Date: October 2007 Keola J. Park, Battalion Chief Current Revision Date: 12/11/2025 Section 104.005 Next Revision (1) Date: 12/11/2029 Page 3 of 6 Debriefing: A more proactive structured, confidential group session, led by a licensed clinician (usually the team’s Clinical Supervisor) in collaboration with one or more team members offered after a critical incident (generally 24 hours to 10 days post incident) but may be held later under exceptional circumstances. It provides those directly involved an opportunity to process their thoughts, reactions, and emotions in a safe, non-judgmental environment. While not a form of therapy, debriefings help reduce the impact of stress and support psychological recovery by promoting understanding, emotional ventilation, and education on normal stress responses. • At-Scene: Peer support may be offered at the scene of a major incident by request of any member. The responding team members should coordinate any on-scene activities through the Incident Commander. During these interactions, team members assess the signs and symptoms of members, and when appropriate offer additional support or referrals. Referrals to Outside Resources: Resources may include the City of Fresno’s Employee Assistance Program, culturally competent clinicians, PTSD/PTSI treatment options, suicide prevention services, substance abuse support, and other relevant web-based tools. PROCESS Access to Peer Support: Department members are encouraged to contact any team member at any time when information, peer support, or referrals are needed. These conversations are strictly confidential (except as noted in the OPERATIONAL POLICY) and are never recorded or documented. All team members must operate in accordance with the provisions of the Peer Support and Crisis Referral Services Act (AB-1116), and any team member who acts outside the scope of the team’s mission or breaches confidentiality as defined by this AB - 1116 will be subject to immediate removal from the team. Initiating Group Processes (Defusings and Debriefings): Officers and members involved in potentially traumatic critical incidents are encouraged to contact the Peer Support Team Coordinator, an on-duty Peer Support Team member, or an on-duty Battalion Chief for guidance. A Peer Support Team member will then Effective Date: October 2007 Keola J. Park, Battalion Chief Current Revision Date: 12/11/2025 Section 104.005 Next Revision (1) Date: 12/11/2029 Page 4 of 6 evaluate the situation (by phone or in person) to determine an appropriate response. Defusings and debriefings require on-duty participants to be placed out of service; in this situation, an on-duty Battalion Chief must be notified. Critical incidents are those incidents that cause people to have a powerful emotional reaction. Emergency services personnel use a list which they refer to as the “Terrible Ten” which includes and requires notification to the Peer Support Team Leads (Coordinator and Manager). Some examples are also listed below. 1. Line of Duty deaths 2. The suicide of a colleague 3. Serious work-related injury 4. Multi-Casualty/Disaster/Terrorism incidents 5. Events with a high degree of threat to the personnel 6. Significant event involving children • Pediatric Drowning • Pediatric Full Arrest • SIDS 7. Events in which the victim is known to the personnel 8. Events with excessive media interest 9. Events that are prolonged and end with a negative outcome 10. Any significantly powerful, overwhelming distressing event • Rescues of victims during a structure fire • Murder/Suicide • Multiple fatalities to a family Effective Date: October 2007 Keola J. Park, Battalion Chief Current Revision Date: 12/11/2025 Section 104.005 Next Revision (1) Date: 12/11/2029 Page 5 of 6 INFORMATION The team provides behavioral health support services in accordance with guidelines established by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF), the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), and FIRESCOPE. Team members are required to obtain, at a minimum, one of the following courses, ICISF certifications of training: • Assisting Individuals in Crisis • Group Crisis Intervention, and/or • IAFF Peer Support Training The team will strive to meet at least quarterly to engage in continuing education, review program updates, and conduct other relevant business. Peer Support Team positions include: • Chairperson: This position is assigned by the Fire Chief or designee. Responsibilities include acting as a liaison between Administration and the team; facilitation of team training and any logistics related to support or outreach efforts; scheduling and facilitation of team meetings; and preparing budget requests. • Clinical Supervisor: This position is to be filled by a licensed mental health clinician who is routinely available to facilitate group debriefings, evaluate Department members in crisis, and to offer training and guidance to team members. • Team Coordinator: The Team Chairperson selects this position. Responsibilities include serving as a pre-designated point of contact for notifications, inquiries, as well as requests for defusings, debriefings, and team responses to incidents. Team members are identified within the daily roster as a “PEER”. Membership on the team is by invitation. Effective Date: October 2007 Keola J. Park, Battalion Chief Current Revision Date: 12/11/2025 Section 104.005 Next Revision (1) Date: 12/11/2029 Page 6 of 6 DEFINITIONS 1. Critical Incident: A critical incident is any unexpected or traumatic event that significantly impacts an individual's or organization's sense of safety, daily functioning, or ability to perform normal duties. It is defined not by the event itself, but by the emotional and psychological response it triggers, often overwhelming the affected person's or group’s ability to cope. 2. Crisis Intervention: A short-term, active, and supportive response provided to individuals or groups during a period of extreme distress. 3. Culturally Competent Clinician: A licensed mental health professional who recognizes and respects the unique culture of the fire service, including its values, communication style, and occupational challenges. This understanding is integrated into their practice to build trust, offer meaningful support, and provide care tailored to the specific needs of firefighters. CROSS-REFERENCES California Assembly Bill AB-1116 Peer Support and Crisis Referral Services Act FIRESCOPE Critical Incident PEER Support Team Operating System Description ICS 180 Healing Our Own International Association of Firefighters Peer Support Training International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc. Education and Training