FIt for Off Duty
The Check In
The Check In is a short, confidential wellness checklist designed for firefighters and first responders. It addresses stress and experiences unique to the job and delivers immediate, practical guidance. No data is stored—just a straightforward tool to help you check yourself early and stay ahead of stress.
Articles
These resources are designed specifically for firefighters and emergency service workers looking to improve performance, resilience, and recovery both on and off duty.
Topics covered include firefighter fitness, mental health support, shift work recovery, sleep optimisation, and long-term wellness strategies for first responders in Australia.
The Slow Normalisation of the Abnormal — and the Unwinding We Don’t Talk About
Read more
The Streets That Stay With You
Read more
The Job Can’t Be Your Entire Identity
Read more
The aching red: Firefighters often silently suffer from trauma and job‑related stress
Read more
Always On: How the Job Follows Us Home
Read more
A Firefighter’s Story: Finding Self-Compassion through MDMA-Assisted Therapy
Read more
Video Resources
Programs & Courses
The Heroic Collective
Built for people who work in jobs where you don’t get to fall apart when things go bad. Police, ambos, fire, defence, corrections, emergency services. We've built this for people who just get on with it, get the job done, and deal with the consequences later.
Free & confidential mental health support.
If you’ve worked or volunteered in emergency services, past or present, get access to confidential mental health support.
Frontline Yoga
All classes are suitable for beginners, taught with clear instructions and are particularly suitable for people that may be experiencing chronic stress, depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress.
Programs for serving and ex-serving first responders.
For serving or ex-serving first responders who suffer from anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress injuries due to service trauma. Equine-assisted services can be complimentary to traditional methods.
Surf therapy
Our program harnesses the proven benefits of spending time in blue and green spaces, engaging in physical activity, and connecting with others, all within a safe, supportive environment free from judgment or stigma.
Events
First Responder Coffee & Walk
A monthly catch up for serving and retired first responders. Come down connect and have a coffee on us. Coming Soon.
Coffee & walk
A monthly catch up for serving and retired first responders. Come down connect and have a coffee on us
Help and Support
Useful links and phone numbers. Please check with your local Department for the latest information and resources.
Helplines
Lifeline
Call 13 11 14
Text 0477 13 11 14
Beyond Blue
1300 22 46 36
Mensline Australia
1300 78 99 78
Fire Department Support Services
Queensland Fire Department
The Fire and Emergency Services Support Network (FESSN) provides access to a team of highly qualified Psychologists and Counsellors in addition to Peer Support Officers, available to staff, volunteers with counselling services available to immediate family members, promoting and supporting positive mental health and well-being.
Counselling Callback Service (24hrs): 1800 805 980 (calls returned within 2 hours)
Fire & Rescue NSW
Support networks available for staff, their family, and friends
In addition to the supports provided via FRNSW, we are very lucky in Australia to have ready access to a number of free online treatment and information resources that provide best-practice options. These options can provide the first step to professional treatment and care. Please note these services are available for family members of all FRNSW staff not just firefighters.
Employee Assistance Provider
A confidential counselling service for you, your family and your Firefighter, paid for by FRNSW at no cost to you. 1300 687 327
Chaplain
FRNSW have a chaplain that can provide support to Firefighters and their families. The principal Chaplain can be contacted on 0418 869 280.
General Practitioner
Your GP can provide immediate assistance and support and can also refer you to a mental health specialist for treatment through the Medicare Better Access Scheme.
FRNSW Wellbeing Coordinator
Coordinates initial support and response for firefighters (including peer support) following involvement in potentially traumatic and critical incidents. 0448 295 725
A confidential counselling service for you, your family and your Firefighter, paid for by FRNSW at no cost to you. 1300 687 327
MFB
Both the MFB and the CFA have support services which members are encouraged to
access. The contact details are as follows:
● For MFB personnel there is 24 hour access to a dedicated counselling service with
psychologists by calling 1800 451 138 or 1300 366 789. If you call this service you
can have immediate access to a psychologist via telephone or alternatively make an
appointment. This service is also available for family members.
● Additionally for MFB personnel there is an extensive peer support programme where
a clinician can be accessed by calling 9665 4405 or 0407 665 174 or the Peer
Coordinator on 0417 538 289 or 9665 4516.
● CFA members can access Critical Incident Stress Peer Support by calling either the
CFA Chaplain Service on 1800 337 068 or CFA Welfare Support on 1800 626 616.
We encourage you to use the above services provided by the MFB and CFA, but if you feel
uncomfortable in doing so there are external support services which all can access
Tasmania Fire Service
Wellbeing Support Officers - Phone - 6173 2873
Wellbeing support is available for all employees, volunteers (including Ambulance Tasmania) and their immediate families. The Wellbeing Support Officers are a point of contact for short term assistance and can be a facilitator, conduit or just a friendly ear to help you work through the ups and downs of life.
Critical Incident Stress Management - Phone - 0427 181 207
Support through the CISM program is available for all emergency services personnel (career and volunteer) to help the manage the impact of critical incidents.
Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service
Immediate Help & Crisis Support
- Emergency Services: If in immediate distress or danger, call 000.
- Wellbeing Services Hotline (24/7): (08) 8995 5422 (diverts after hours).
- Critical Incident Support: For Category A incidents, contact the Director Wellbeing Services at (08) 8995 5424.
- [Lifeline]: 13 11 14 (24/7).
- [Mental Health Line]: 1800 682 288
NTFRS Internal & Peer Support
- Wellbeing Services: Offers support for work-related trauma, including peer support programs for firefighters and other first responders.
- Peer Support Officers: These are trained colleagues who provide confidential support.
- Colleague Referral: If you are concerned about a colleague, contact the Wellbeing Services team to make a referral at (08) 8995 5422 or email WellbeingServices@pfes.nt.gov.au
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)NTFRS provides free, confidential counselling through EAP for employees and their immediate families (partners/dependants).ocpe.nt.gov.au
- [EASA]: 1800 193 123 (Darwin and Katherine) or 08 8941 1752.
- [Amber NT] (24-hour support line): 1800 875 182 or 0448 849 234.
- Other EAP Providers: Available include Top Care Psychology (0439 040 711) and [Relationships Australia NT]
Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services
This service is available to all DFES employees, volunteers and their immediate family. You can access this service for work, volunteer or personal related matters. Face-to face, telephone or video call options are available. Each person is entitled to six (6) sessions per year (one year from their first session with the provider). All you need to do is directly contact any of the DFES providers outlined below.
This service is free and confidential.
PeopleSense: Access general, state wide counselling services from Monday to Thursday between 9am and 7pm (last appointment is at 6pm) and Friday between 9am and 5pm (last appointment is at 4pm). PeopleSense also provides a 24/7 support line for non-emergency mental health support. Call 9388 9000 or Free call 1300 307 912.
HealthBright (Telehealth only): Appointments are offered across a range of flexible times including before, during and after business hours, as well as on weekends to suit varying schedules. The phone line is available during AEST business hours, call (02) 7227 5416 (press option 1, then 1 again). Online bookings (available 24/7).
Martinovich Psychological Services (MPS): Access general counselling services from Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm (last appointment at 5pm) or Saturdays by prior arrangement. Contact the office closest to you: Fremantle (9433 6559), Rockingham (9527 6599) or Dunsborough (9750 5356).
24/7 Support Line: This service provides non-emergency mental health support. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, please contact emergency services on 000.
You can contact the 24/7 Mental Health Support Line via Acacia Connections on 1300 364 273 or PeopleSense on 1300 307 912.
