2024 ANNUAL REPORT - Final

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EMERGENCY SERVICES

Behavioral Health Program (continued)

Peer Support Team Highlights

• Expanded team management to include a Program Manager from the DFRS Safety Office. • Added nine new members to the PST, including one volunteer and one retiree. • Conducted regular station visits and staffed a table at the Key City Fire Conference to raise awareness of the behavioral health program, peer support team, and provide education. • Completed a 2-day IAFF peer support training in September 2023 with 12 DFRS attendees. • Participated in quarterly trainings on a variety of topics including suicide awareness, motivation interviewing, the impact of trauma, coping and behavioral health awareness. • Collaborated with BHC and DFRS leadership to create a new Peer Support Team policy and abolished an older Critical Incident Stress Management policy. • Deployed to Loudoun County, VA for several days to assist with a LODD. • Coordinated a networking event with peer support teams from other county agencies. • Tours of Harbor of Grace and the Center of Excellence. • Assistant Team Leader was awarded the Fire Safety Medal by the Sons of the American Revolution for his hard work and dedication to the Peer Support Team. • Personnel attended multiple trainings/conferences to include: o First Responder Health and Wellness Conference o Struggle Well o ASIST Suicide Prevention Training o Western Maryland First Responder Wellness Seminar o Addiction and Connection to Treatment o National Behavioral Health Symposium

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