Fire and Emergency Services Support Network
The Fire and Emergency Services Support Network (FESSN) provides access to a team of highly qualified Psychologists and Counsellors in addition to Peer Support Officers, available to staff, volunteers with counselling services available to immediate family members, promoting and supporting positive mental health and well-being.
Services include:
- Confidential professional counselling
- Access to trained Peer Support officers
- Counselling Callback Service (24hrs)
- Organisational development, Leadership Advice and Training services
- Critical incident response and management, including support for personnel before, during and following critical incidents, activations and deployments
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I seek help?
You should seek help when:
- The way you feel is getting in the way of living the life you would like to lead
- An increase in your alcohol, tobacco and other drug use
- Decline in the quality of your relationships
- An unwelcome change of behaviour that has negative consequences for you
What type of issues does FESSN address?
Assistance is available for any life issue that may be troubling you, including:
- Critical incident stress
- Work issues such as conflict, stress, harassment and bullying
- Emotional difficulties
- Self-esteem issues
- Home, family or relationship difficulties
- Communication difficulties
- Loss and grief
Who can use FESSN services?
Our workforce, this includes:
- Staff (operational and public service)
- Volunteers
Counselling services are also extended to immediate family members, e.g. a spouse or de facto partner and dependent family members.
How do I access FESSN support services?
Peer Support Officers and Counsellors can be accessed directly via:
- Peer Support Officers list
- Find Counsellors Near Me or view list
- Counselling Callback Service (24hrs): 1800 805 980 (calls returned within 2 hours)
- FESSN Management team: 1300 309 508 or FESSN@qfes.qld.gov.au
*Permission is not required to engage a Peer Support Officer or Counsellor
How can I speak to someone immediately?
- If it is life threatening, call Triple Zero (000)
- Counselling Callback Service (24hrs): 1800 805 980 (calls returned within 2 hours)
External Counselling Support Services:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- MensLine Australia: 1300 78 99 78
- Suicide Callback Service: 1300 659 467
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
- Veterans and Veterans Family Counselling Service: 1800 011 046
Are these sessions confidential?
All Peer Support Officers, Psychologists and Counsellors adhere to strict confidentiality guidelines.
Personal information may only be revealed under the following circumstances:
- A legal requirement to disclose information
- Failure to disclose information would place the client or another person at risk of harm
- The individual's written consent has been obtained to release the information to another person or agency
- Peer Support Officer attends confidential supervision sessions with the Regional Supervision Counsellor