WHO WE SUPPORT
For simply doing their job, for protecting, defending and caring for their community, no first responder or their family members, should have their mental health and wellbeing negatively impacted.
Fortem provides evidence-based, comprehensive and integrated wellbeing support to first responder families.
ELIGIBILITY
To attend Fortem programs, you or your immediate family must be currently working or volunteering with one of the following organisations:
- State Emergency Service (SES)
- Fire & Rescue agencies including RFS, and CFA
- Forest Fire Management Victoria
- Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA)
- Marine Rescue
- Police
- Ambulance organisations
- ESTA 000
- Australian Federal Police
- Australian Border Force
- Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade
- Attorney General’s Department
- Department of Home Affairs
Fortem also supports those Emergency Responders involved in the Black Summer bushfires who are no longer serving.
Please note that Clinical Services (psychology support and care coordination) are available for those first responder families who were working or volunteering in any capacity, with one of the organisations listed above, during the 2019/2020 bushfire season. Further support for others will be added as funding permits.
Fortem Australia supports those who protect and defend our community in a national security and first responder capacity. At this time we are unable to extend this support to those in corrections, mortuary services, surf life saving, doctors or nurses not employed by an ambulance service, animal welfare, foster carers, Red Cross, Salvation Army employees or volunteers.
FIRST RESPONDER FAMILIES
Our programs are here to support first-responders and their kinship. We know that every family is different, so we’re happy for you nominate who fits into your ‘immediate family’. Generally, we’d expect this is people within your household, or your closest family support network.
In some cases, wellbeing activities may have limited capacity, in which case we may need to limit the number of places available to each family.
WHERE WE ARE
We are currently offering services in regional towns and cities along the east coast of Australia. Virtual activities are also available to eligible first responder families Australia-wide.
