Fostering Synergy: Breaking Barriers Through Collaborative Engagement
Tracks
Ballroom 2 - In-Person Only
| Monday, March 4, 2024 |
| 2:20 PM - 2:50 PM |
| Ballroom 2 |
Overview
Samuel Parkhouse, Andrew McGarity and William Maclean, Fire and Rescue NSW
Speaker
William (Billy) Maclean
Former Firefighter
Fire & Rescue NSW
Fostering Synergy: Breaking Barriers Through Collaborative Engagement
Abstract
In 2022, Fire and Rescue NSW and Employers Mutual Limited (EML) piloted the FRNSW Wellness Summit which was an innovative and ground-breaking mental health support program with the intent of providing evidence-based trauma support which was specifically tailored to meet the unique needs – and nature of firefighters. It had been observed that the recovery rates and timeframes for firefighters with psychological injuries was lower than those with physical injuries. The program provided a firefighter centric and holistic approach to assist treatment and enabling effective integration back to the
workplace and their ordinary roles.
Each of the four x four-day Wellness Summits paneled 10 participants. The activities on each program included breath work, cold exposure (ice bath), yoga, arts therapy, meditation, physical training and body work, as well as access to a Clinical Psychologist as an option for review of treatment and support.
The retreat had multiple stakeholder support, so that the participants felt a whole of agency approach from FRNSW, associated directorates such as Health and Safety Branch (HSB), the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and EML. EML provided financial support, advice and project management which ensured this initiative could proceed.
Participants demonstrated a clinically significant reduction in depression, anxiety, stress, distress and trauma symptoms from pre-summit to 6-months post-summit. They also demonstrated an increase in personal wellbeing across the same timeframe. There is clear evidence of clinically significant improvement in the symptomatology experienced by participants, as well as a heightened sense of gratitude and hope targeted towards FRNSW.
The pilot program has been endorsed by FRNSW and EML as a permanent and regular component of FRNSW’s mental health support programs, with access expanded to a broader audience.
workplace and their ordinary roles.
Each of the four x four-day Wellness Summits paneled 10 participants. The activities on each program included breath work, cold exposure (ice bath), yoga, arts therapy, meditation, physical training and body work, as well as access to a Clinical Psychologist as an option for review of treatment and support.
The retreat had multiple stakeholder support, so that the participants felt a whole of agency approach from FRNSW, associated directorates such as Health and Safety Branch (HSB), the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and EML. EML provided financial support, advice and project management which ensured this initiative could proceed.
Participants demonstrated a clinically significant reduction in depression, anxiety, stress, distress and trauma symptoms from pre-summit to 6-months post-summit. They also demonstrated an increase in personal wellbeing across the same timeframe. There is clear evidence of clinically significant improvement in the symptomatology experienced by participants, as well as a heightened sense of gratitude and hope targeted towards FRNSW.
The pilot program has been endorsed by FRNSW and EML as a permanent and regular component of FRNSW’s mental health support programs, with access expanded to a broader audience.
Biography
William MacLean – Aka “Billy Mac”
Senior Firefighter with Fire&Rescue NSW for 24 years - Professional Firefighter – retired. Alexandria, The Rocks, Glebe, Newtown, Umina, last 3 years at FRNSW State Training College as Training and Assessment Officer
Hometown: NSW Central Coast
Alma Mater: Matraville High School
I used to think telling people that I have Post Traumatic Stress was embarrassing, as it made me look and feel “soft”. I now know that seeking help for it was the bravest most courageous thing I did as a firefighter
I am a proud Torres Strait Island man through my maternal grandmother who was from Thursday Island and I have boyish good looks and charismatic charm.
I'm a cricket and rugby union tragic! My hobby for my mindfulness is photography.
Andrew McGarity
Manager, Injury Management Health & Safety
Fire and Rescue NSW
Fostering Synergy: Breaking Barriers Through Collaborative Engagement
Abstract
In 2022, Fire and Rescue NSW and Employers Mutual Limited (EML) piloted the FRNSW Wellness Summit which was an innovative and ground-breaking mental health support program with the intent of providing evidence-based trauma support which was specifically tailored to meet the unique needs – and nature of firefighters. It had been observed that the recovery rates and timeframes for firefighters with psychological injuries was lower than those with physical injuries. The program provided a firefighter centric and holistic approach to assist treatment and enabling effective integration back to the
workplace and their ordinary roles.
Each of the four x four-day Wellness Summits paneled 10 participants. The activities on each program included breath work, cold exposure (ice bath), yoga, arts therapy, meditation, physical training and body work, as well as access to a Clinical Psychologist as an option for review of treatment and support.
The retreat had multiple stakeholder support, so that the participants felt a whole of agency approach from FRNSW, associated directorates such as Health and Safety Branch (HSB), the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and EML. EML provided financial support, advice and project management which ensured this initiative could proceed.
Participants demonstrated a clinically significant reduction in depression, anxiety, stress, distress and trauma symptoms from pre-summit to 6-months post-summit. They also demonstrated an increase in personal wellbeing across the same timeframe. There is clear evidence of clinically significant improvement in the symptomatology experienced by participants, as well as a heightened sense of gratitude and hope targeted towards FRNSW.
The pilot program has been endorsed by FRNSW and EML as a permanent and regular component of FRNSW’s mental health support programs, with access expanded to a broader audience.
workplace and their ordinary roles.
Each of the four x four-day Wellness Summits paneled 10 participants. The activities on each program included breath work, cold exposure (ice bath), yoga, arts therapy, meditation, physical training and body work, as well as access to a Clinical Psychologist as an option for review of treatment and support.
The retreat had multiple stakeholder support, so that the participants felt a whole of agency approach from FRNSW, associated directorates such as Health and Safety Branch (HSB), the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and EML. EML provided financial support, advice and project management which ensured this initiative could proceed.
Participants demonstrated a clinically significant reduction in depression, anxiety, stress, distress and trauma symptoms from pre-summit to 6-months post-summit. They also demonstrated an increase in personal wellbeing across the same timeframe. There is clear evidence of clinically significant improvement in the symptomatology experienced by participants, as well as a heightened sense of gratitude and hope targeted towards FRNSW.
The pilot program has been endorsed by FRNSW and EML as a permanent and regular component of FRNSW’s mental health support programs, with access expanded to a broader audience.
Biography
Biography not provided.
Samuel Parkhouse
Station Commander
Fire and Rescue NSW
Fostering Synergy: Breaking Barriers Through Collaborative Engagement
Abstract
In 2022, Fire and Rescue NSW and Employers Mutual Limited (EML) piloted the FRNSW Wellness Summit which was an innovative and ground-breaking mental health support program with the intent of providing evidence-based trauma support which was specifically tailored to meet the unique needs – and nature of firefighters. It had been observed that the recovery rates and timeframes for firefighters with psychological injuries was lower than those with physical injuries. The program provided a firefighter centric and holistic approach to assist treatment and enabling effective integration back to the
workplace and their ordinary roles.
Each of the four x four-day Wellness Summits paneled 10 participants. The activities on each program included breath work, cold exposure (ice bath), yoga, arts therapy, meditation, physical training and body work, as well as access to a Clinical Psychologist as an option for review of treatment and support.
The retreat had multiple stakeholder support, so that the participants felt a whole of agency approach from FRNSW, associated directorates such as Health and Safety Branch (HSB), the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and EML. EML provided financial support, advice and project management which ensured this initiative could proceed.
Participants demonstrated a clinically significant reduction in depression, anxiety, stress, distress and trauma symptoms from pre-summit to 6-months post-summit. They also demonstrated an increase in personal wellbeing across the same timeframe. There is clear evidence of clinically significant improvement in the symptomatology experienced by participants, as well as a heightened sense of gratitude and hope targeted towards FRNSW.
The pilot program has been endorsed by FRNSW and EML as a permanent and regular component of FRNSW’s mental health support programs, with access expanded to a broader audience.
workplace and their ordinary roles.
Each of the four x four-day Wellness Summits paneled 10 participants. The activities on each program included breath work, cold exposure (ice bath), yoga, arts therapy, meditation, physical training and body work, as well as access to a Clinical Psychologist as an option for review of treatment and support.
The retreat had multiple stakeholder support, so that the participants felt a whole of agency approach from FRNSW, associated directorates such as Health and Safety Branch (HSB), the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and EML. EML provided financial support, advice and project management which ensured this initiative could proceed.
Participants demonstrated a clinically significant reduction in depression, anxiety, stress, distress and trauma symptoms from pre-summit to 6-months post-summit. They also demonstrated an increase in personal wellbeing across the same timeframe. There is clear evidence of clinically significant improvement in the symptomatology experienced by participants, as well as a heightened sense of gratitude and hope targeted towards FRNSW.
The pilot program has been endorsed by FRNSW and EML as a permanent and regular component of FRNSW’s mental health support programs, with access expanded to a broader audience.
Biography
Sam has served as a Permanent Firefighter for 17 years of which the last 5 have been as a Station Commander. He has been an Urban Search and Rescue Cat 2 Rescue Technician since 2015, an Instructor since 2017 and has deployed intrastate, interstate and internationally, most recently to the Türkiye Earthquake Response to lead a Search and Rescue crew as part of the Australian Governments deployment of the AUS-02 Heavy Team.
Sam has developed a passion in the mental health space to build robust programs that support his colleagues now and into the future.
