Airdrie Peer Support Team Members have taken Critical Incident Stress Management Training from the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation and work collaboratively with APFFA Leadership and Megan McElheran of WGM and Jeff Sych of Alberta Critical Incident Provincial Network to ensure they are in the best position to help support Local 4778 members through acute incidents and navigate through the many options available for support to find the best option for their specific circumstance.
Click here for a list of the Peer Support Team and their phone numbers, or reach the whole team by email at peersupport@airdriefirefighters.com
The Peer Team can also provide a referral to access WGM Psychology within 24-48hrs of requesting help (see info on WGM below)
Wayfound provides psychological services and specializes in Trauma in First Responders. Family, domestic partner, and other areas of counselling can also be supported by the psychologists at WGM.
While member's Blue Cross benefits only cover $500 per family member in psychological services, an initial round of funding from the FSEAP program will cover the first 5 appointments and can be expanded if needed on a case by case basis. Details on this process will be supported by Peer Support Team members.
What is it? - The FSEAP provides members access to a number of resources, from tutors for kids, to counsellors to psychologists. A Peer Support Team member will be able to provide you some guidance on how the FSEAP process works to access these resources. Some of them can be most easily accessed by phoning their 1-800 number. Others, such as funding for psychological services provided through WGM can be done after an appointment with WGM is booked - seeking support through this from a Peer Team member will help make the process as simple as possible.
1-800-661-8246
All Airdrie Peer Support Team members are part of this network. There are resources on their website for some self-assessment tools and other information.
https://legacyplacesociety.com/
Mission: Provide empathetic support that builds resiliency individually and within our Responder and Military Families.
This organization has several programs for first responders to support different aspects of mental health. They also own a property in Rockyview County that is being developed as a safe space for first responders to spend time.
Provide programming supporting mental health initiatives for first responders. Programs include Trauma Resiliency, Equine and Dog therapy, and research.
"Call 211 and you will have access to an entire network of community, social, health and government services. Your call will be answered by a professional information and referral specialist who is trained to assess your need and refer you to the most appropriate service or services. We offer this service in over 170 languages and it is available in many communities in Alberta, including Calgary. 211 is on its way to becoming a full provincial service.
211 is free, confidential, multilingual and available 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Don’t like talking on the phone? Online chat is available from 12-8pm daily at ab.211.ca.
Why would I contact 211?
I need food, shelter and/or transportation
I need financial support to help pay my utility bill, rent and/or damage deposit
I need to find mental health and addictions support
I need information on Government programs and phone numbers
I don’t know where to go for Legal support
I want to volunteer for an organization
I want to make a donation of furniture and/or clothing
I am concerned about a friend or family member
I am looking for services for a client
We have access to thousands of other services
211 Calgary and Area is a joint initiative of Distress Centre, The City of Calgary (Family & Community Support Services), and United Way of Calgary and Area.
Prefer to search for services yourself? Visit ab.211.ca for a comprehensive list of services."
Call 8-1-1 to reach Health Link 24/7
In non-acute situations, support from the physicians at Ovation can be sought for referrals to mental health professionals.
587-969-7647
Dr. Tammy Paulgaar-McKnight
Dr. Avneet Brar