The Windsor Essex First Responder Coalition
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Our Aim
The Windsor Essex First Responder Coalition seeks to develop a unified and collaborative approach to building resilience, reducing stigma, and promoting mental wellbeing in First Responders. As a direct result of doing their job, First Responders are at increased risk of experiencing occupational stress and other mental health issues. In recognition of this, the partners work together to develop strategies and programs to address the continuum of mental health issues known to impact First Responders. It brings employer and employee representatives from all Windsor-Essex County First Responder organizations together to develop a consolidated and tailored approach to promoting mental health as well as helping those who are in need of increased support.
Our Objectives
The cornerstone of the project includes the establishment of a First Responder Mental Health Coalition (FRMHC). The coalition, consisting of representatives from all WEC First Responder organizations, St. Clair College, CMHA-WECB, Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW), Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, Family Services Windsor-Essex, Family Services Employee Assistance Program and other mental health experts, would have the mandate to collaboratively undertake the following objectives:
- Conduct an environmental scan of Windsor-Essex County First Responder mental health programs, services, resources, capacities, and gaps within 3 months of establishing the FRMHC.
- Work with representative(s) from St. Clair College to investigate the feasibility of developing a common mental health module to be included in all First Responder programs offered by the college (i.e., Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training, Police Foundations, Paramedics) within 6 months of establishing the FRMHC.
- Establish a mental health peer support sub-committee with representatives from each First Responder organization, to develop a clinician-guided peer support model which can be tailored to each organization – within the first 3 months.
- Identify regional First Responder mental health, training needs (from the environmental scan) as well as efficient, effective, and sustainable strategies to address those needs. To be identified and implemented from 6 to 24 months.
- Assess the need for mental health support services among immediate family members of First Responders. Based on the identified needs, offer and provide awareness, education, and skill-building opportunities using a cross-section of proven delivery methods. Assess needs within the first 9 months. Offer family support services from 9 to 24 months.
- Explore and pilot various therapeutic animal support programs (e.g., K9 or Equine) for use with First Responders experiencing occupational stress or job-related mental health issues. Animal therapy programs to be piloted in the second year (i.e., 12 to 24 months) of the project.
Steering Committee
Chief Bruce Krauter
Chief EMS
Chief Steve Laforet
Windsor Fire
Chief Don Williamson
Lakeshore Fire
Chief Rick Arnel
Essex Fire
Chief Dave Sutton
LaSalle Fire
Chief Bruce Montone
Amherstburg Fire
Chief John Leonowitz
LaSalle Police
David Bohdal
Sergeant, Windsor Police Service
Health & Wellness Coordinator, WPS
Gordon Thane
WECHU
Blake Cohoe
OPP
Mechelle Murphy
EMS
Chris Gaveart
Tecumseh Fire
Michelle Taylor
EMS
Beth Anne Ternovan
Family Services Employee Assistance Program
Chief Chuck Parsons
Kingsville Fire Chief
Kristina Gilboe
Windsor Police
James Waffle
Windsor Fire
Stephanie Bula
HDGH
Emily Festa Bohdal
ICU Nurse
Kim Willis
Director Communications and Mental Health Promotion
Anita Riccio-Spagnuolo
Fund Development Officer