Stories from our first responder community
Fortem Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that supports the mental fitness and wellbeing of first responder families. Every day, more than 300,000 first responders keep our communities safe. They are backed up by their families: partners, children and parents. All of them hold vital and challenging roles. We help them to be well, and stay well, through mental fitness, support services and wellbeing activities. These are their stories.
Fortem Talks – Heather Millard, Chaplain with NSW Ambulance.
The challenges of the last two years are felt across our community, first responders and their families feel it too, but carry an extra weight because of the work they
The hidden wounds of first responders: and how Fortem is answering the call.
Monday’s edition of ‘A Current Affair‘ featured the story of former Australian Federal Police officer Jason Taylor and his courageous battle with PTSD. Sadly, Jason’s story is not an uncommon one –
Local first responders offered free, face to face suicide first aid training.
Increasingly first responders are dealing with call outs where they are having to support people in mental distress and expressing suicidal behaviour. It’s a situation that requires a special skill set beyond what these women and
Snowy Valley’s Family Day helps heal bushfire scars.
In the Summer of 2019-20, communities around Australia were ravaged as bushfires raced through many parts of the country, leaving heartbreak in their wake. The Snowy Valley’s region was among the worst hit, by the
The Harder Courage – going beyond your comfort zone.
We all know first responders face dangers, stresses and hardships every day. They do it willingly – even cheerfully – and they don’t ask for thanks or recognition in return.
Family Story: ‘When he’s willing to talk, everything has to go on hold’
He’d done a few afternoon shifts in a row, and I felt like we hadn’t really seen each other all week. I had all this information that I needed to tell
Gamilaraay woman and Senior Constable with the Queensland Police – Carleen Armour
In the run up to NAIDOC Week 2021, Fortem Australia spoke with Carleen Armour about her experiences as a Gamilaraay woman and Senior Constable with the Queensland Police Service. Tell us a bit about your background Carleen. I grew up in Liverpool in Sydney, my mother was
Fortem Talks – living and working in these challenging times.
We live in extraordinary times and together we face those challenges – bushfires, COVID-19, floods, storms and sometimes back again. Not to mention the day-to-day individual stresses and emergencies that
Coffee vans drive a better future for ACT teens
Canberra’s ‘Cruisin Cafes’ are changing lives and building brighter futures. “These kids have been through some damn tough times – more than what most people could imagine,” says Cheryl O’Donnell,
Virtual event gives Victorian first responders a much-needed break
The recent lockdown has been a tough time for all Victorians, but the state’s first responders and their families have shouldered an extra load. Keeping the broader community safe in
Sydney sea cruise – making new mates and having a whale of time
First responder families taking part in a recent whale watching cruise went out to sea hoping for an interaction with the massive mammals; to their surprise they ended up enjoying
AFP College Trivia Night – a winner!
A simple box of chocolates offered as a prize for the winning team ensured that competition was fierce (but friendly) between the teams of new recruits at the Australian Federal
