Peer Counselor Training Program Set for February!

On February 16th & 17th, 2010, the Charleston Firefighter Support Team will be presenting a  Peer Counselor Training Program. This program is an important component to the continuing development of our Peer Counseling Team in the department. It will be presented by members of the Firefighter Support Team along with others from the mental health community. We have made great strides in providing counseling services and emotional support to our firefighters since this program was started over three years ago. We know that line-of-duty deaths and serious injuries can trigger emotional problems for us all, and we also know that our firefighters face issues on a daily basis that can affect their lives and job performance. The program will include information on stress, anxiety, depression, anger management, marital and relationship problems, alcohol and substance abuse, suicide, listening skills, coping, children’s issues and many more subjects.  We are excited to be able to extend an invitation to other area fire department personnel to join us for this training.

This program will continue to strengthen our existing Team as we move into the future. While this training is necessary to prepare those who want to be peer counselors, it is being presented as a “no obligation” program to give all participants an opportunity to attend the training before deciding if becoming a peer counselor is appropriate for them. Regardless, this training will be useful to participants in their professional development.

This is a two day program and participants will be required to attend both days. Please contact Gerald Mishoe, as soon as possible, in the Support Team offices at (843) 609-8300 and let us know if you would like to attend. It is important that we finalize our list of interested personnel by January 31st so that we make preparations to include you in the class.

 

ADDED Friday, January 7th:  We are receiving a great deal of interest in this program.  You can also send me an e-mail to gerald@scfirefighters.org if you are interested in attending or sending personnel to the class.

 

Thanks, Gerald