Los Angeles County Fire Department Peer Support Program

About the Program

Category: Personnel Management, Employment and Training (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

The Los Angeles County Fire Department’s (LACoFD’s) Peer Support program promotes behavioral health awareness and initiatives, Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), and mental resiliency. The LACoFD Peer Support Program is the gold standard for peer support in the fire service. They respond to dozens of incidents each year in addition to the thousands of calls each year from members needing support as they navigate their day-to-day job duties in the fire service. Whether it is responding to a call from a paramedic who witnessed a pediatric fatality, or massive wildfire like the Woolsey or Dixie fires, a firefighter having trouble at home, or active shooter incidents like the Monterey Park Dance Hall tragedy, our Peer Support Team always responds with professionalism and an unwavering commitment to the mission of making behavioral health a priority for the fire service and first responders everywhere. The LACoFD Peer Support Program continually inspires other fire departments across the nation to create their own Peer Support Team Programs to help end the stigma surrounding behavioral health issues and making behavioral health a priority in the fire service.