Firefighting and emergency response are stressful jobs with high levels of risk and unpredictability. In addition, volunteer responders are often juggling their fire service responsibilities with full time jobs and family commitments. All these factors can have an impact on the well-being of responders and their families.
While many companies offer employee assistance programs (EAPs) to deal with work-life issues, such services are usually not available for volunteer firefighters and EMS providers.
NVFC – Provident partnership
On October 10, World Mental Health Day, the NVFC announces the launch of the NVFC First Responder Helpline
Recognizing this service gap, the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has partnered with Provident, a a globally renowned provider of customized insurance products for emergency services organizations, in order to offer a solution tailored to the distinct needs of firefighters, EMS providers, rescue personnel, and their families.
On October 10, World Mental Health Day, the NVFC announces the launch of the NVFC First Responder Helpline. This new resource provides both immediate assistance in a crisis moment, as well as confidential counseling, resources, and referrals for a range of issues including stress management, family conflict, financial or legal concerns, addiction, grief or loss, and more.
NVFC First Responder Helpline
“Emergency responders face the same stressors and concerns as everyone, but add to this the fact that we routinely experience traumatic situations that most people never encounter in their lifetime,” said National Volunteer Fire Council’s Chair, Steve Hirsch.
He adds, “We are thrilled to be able to offer this new resource, so that first responders and their families have a place to turn in times of need. The NVFC First Responder Helpline provides a wide range of assistance to help our members cope with traumatic incidents, everyday life stresses, work-related concerns, family issues, and more.”
Program provided via Provident and supported by BHS
BHS has been delivering mental and behavioral health services to organizations since 1983
This program is provided through Provident and supported by Business Health Services (BHS), a globally renowned company in providing emotional and behavioral health consultations, in partnership with Responders 1st Call.
BHS has been delivering mental and behavioral health services to organizations since 1983. The contact center is staffed by master’s level clinicians with an average of five years of experience specially trained in assisting and supporting first responder groups.
Stress management and work-life services
In addition to immediate assistance in a crisis moment, the NVFC First Responder Helpline also provides stress management and work-life services.
This includes up to five telephone stress management coaching sessions (or the number of sessions allowed by state law) with Master’s degree holding counselors, access to attorneys for a 30-minute phone or in-person legal consultation, referrals to consultants to assist with debt management and other financial concerns, and resources and referrals to help with childcare, elder care, or adoption.
The NVFC First Responder Helpline is provided to all NVFC members and their household family members. Members can access the number on the members section of the NVFC web site. Once logged in, go to Member Resources and then Member Benefits to find the number. Non-members can join for just US$ 21 a year to access this and other NVFC member benefits.