title: Peer Support Action Plan: Northwest Fire and Rescue.
abstract: Cumulative stress among firefighters may present as behavior changes that could be considered destructive for an individual and for the fire crew on which they serve. Through the use of effective leadership and open communication between personnel, destructive behaviors may be mitigated before a cascade of poor decisions affects the health and livelihood of the individual and those around him/her The Peer Support Action Plan presents several different intervention techniques in order to best cope with destructive behaviors, while providing follow-up and continued support by a trained Peer Support Action Team. The Peer Support Action Plan is not a disciplinary measure nor is it a guarantee of continued employment, but rather a coaching and support strategy to correct behaviors and keep firefighters at their optimum level of functioning and performance through coping efficacy (problem focused and seeking social support).
authors.affiliation: Behavioral Health and Community Services, Northwest Fire District, Tucson Arizona, USA. cdowdall@northwestfire.org
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dowdall-Thomae
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Culliney
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Piechura
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003142:Communication; D003419:Crisis Intervention; D005390:Fires; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007857:Leadership; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D010379:Peer Group; D010559:Personnel Management; D011340:Problem Solving; D018635:Rescue Work; D012944:Social Support; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology