Australian First Responder Foundation | Charitable organisation

Australian First Responder Foundation

Phone: +61 411 133 655

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• Charitable organisation
• Community organisation
• Mental health service
• Charity organisation

24.01.2022 We know that being an emergency first responder and witnessing trauma, devastation, sadness, working long hours etc can take its toll on our mental health and wellbeing. Often people leave the service without prior planning. Our colleague Tom Wheelhouse from Mightify offers some helpful tips on how to transition to your next chapter.

24.01.2022 Meet the Board Members: Over the next few weeks we would like to introduce you to the Australian First Responder Board members. Establishing a Foundation takes a lot of time, commitment and passion. All of our Board members volunteer their time and expertise so that they can help care for emergency first responders. Firstly, we would like to introduce Graham Pegler. As Secretary, Graham has been the engine for our work to date. Behind the scenes Graham brings his expertise as a Teacher and Senior Public servant to the Governance of the Foundation. Grahams quiet, attention to detail provides our membership with captaincy and precision.

20.01.2022 First responder work can be challenging and evidence shows that we experience higher levels of psychological distress and suicide. We are only human too! We need to remember to look after ourselves so that we can continue to look after our communities. *Remember, services such as Lifeline are available: 13 11 14

18.01.2022 The Australian First Responder Foundation promotes peer support and social connectedness following a potentially traumatic event. This may lead to professional help although not always. Our ways of working will bring emergency first responders together in a safe, supportive space to help reduce the impact of mental ill health. We look after emergency first responders so that you can continue to look after us!

18.01.2022 The Australian First Responder Foundation Board members are pleased to welcome Dee Milenkovic to our team. Dees unique and energetic approach to community giving, along with expertise in communications, marketing and psychology will be an asset to the Foundations work.

17.01.2022 Meet our Board Member- This week we introduce Wade Norrie. Wade has been an active volunteer emergency first responder with St John Ambulance, NSW for many years. With over 30 years experience in both Clinical and Senior Nursing positions in mental health services across Australia, and leading deployments in emergency and disaster situations, Wade understands the importance of looking after yourself and your peers, prevention and early intervention and volunteerism.

16.01.2022 It’s been a tragic few weeks in Wollongong with the loss of a number of fisherman. A hero’s story emerged within this tragic loss and the world of a First Responder highlighted. First Responders every day put our safety before theirs to protect, treat and rescue in our communities. Thanking them is the least we can do. Looking after them is core to the AFRF vision.

16.01.2022 Dear All, The Australian First Responder Foundation (AFRF) would like to invite you to become involved in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our First Responders. The AFRF is a not for profit organisation powered by volunteers and donations. We serve and honour volunteer and paid First Responders and their families mental health and wellbeing through peer support, education, and wellbeing retreats. We are looking for people to join our volunteer team with strengt...hs and / or experience in: 1. Fund raising/ grant writing skills 2. Marketing/ social media skills 3. Finance management If you are interested in being involved in this exciting opportunity, please email Graham Pegler (Secretary) with a short expression of interest by COB 30th Oct 2020. Email address: [email protected]

15.01.2022 MEET THE BOARD - Mr. James Welch James Welch is a business owner, company director, and lawyer and Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation - Insolvency law at Access Law Group. His dispute resolution experiences enable him to review contracts, negotiate terms, and meet his client’s interests in ways that other parties (and Courts) are likely to find agreeable. James sits on boards at various levels, and brings his legal perspectives to governance and operations issues in the AFRF. James will help the AFRF build an organisation and programs that are in the the best interest of emergency first responders and our community partners.

14.01.2022 If you know someone who is a first responder - Ambulance, Fire, Police, SES, RFS, St John Ambulance or Royal Life Saving - then you know someone who understands the meaning of selfless.

14.01.2022 Louise Murphy has many touch points with the work she is doing in the space of caring for those who care for us. The AFRF is great hands with Louise’s passion for supporting first responders. Become a member and help the AFRF to reduce mental health issues and suicide in our first responder community.

11.01.2022 Thank you to the Bomaderry Rotary Club group for an invitation to Louise to present on the AFRF vision and plans last night. It’s always inspiring to talk with others who give their time give back to community. Volunteering is more than just giving back, it brings community together also.

11.01.2022 An emergency first responder is a person with specialised training who is among the first to arrive and provide assistance at the scene of an emergency, such as an accident, natural disaster, or terrorism. In Australia these include paid and volunteers from Ambulance, Police, Fire, RFS, St John Ambulance, Surf Life Saving, Marine Rescue and SES. Over 380,000 first responders helping to keep us safe in Australia every week.

10.01.2022 Flying the AFRF flag at the #Frontlinementalhealth Conference at the Gold Coast. Louise Murphy presented on the findings and recommendations of her #ChurchillFellow report and received amazing support for the AFRF vision and goals. #firstresponders #peersupport #mentalhealth #flmh21

09.01.2022 Great work by the Volunteer Consultative Forum (VCF), with support from Emergency Management Victoria (EMV) for developing this comprehensive and informative report, namely the 3Vs Final Report: Uncovering the Hidden Value. This report brings to life the value of volunteers, volunteering and volunteerism. We know that volunteer emergency first responders play an essential role in not only protecting and supporting the community in emergency and disaster situations but also... from prevention through to recovery. The report acknowledges that expressing value in dollar terms is highly challenging. Nevertheless, the report has estimated an indicative valuation in annual terms of roughly: $175 million in personal value generated by volunteers; $800 million to $1.4 billion (and possibly more) in the value of reducing emergency consequences for the community; and $900 million in the value of strengthening community bonds and functioning. Despite this report being Victorian focused, one would presume that there may be similarities in other States. This is why we need to look after our volunteer emergency first responders, so that they can continue to look after our communities. The report can be accessed through: https://www.emv.vic.gov.au//the-value-of-volunteers-volunt Ref: The State of Victoria (Emergency Management Victoria) 2020

09.01.2022 Well done to Sergeant Nick Park for his courageous efforts to jump into the water at Port Kembla to save a fisherman. Our sincere condolences to the loved ones and families of the two other people who sadly did not survive this tragedy.

06.01.2022 Just walk out the door......and start. Every Monday and Wednesday at 5:30pm spend 45 min on yourself - so that you can be the best\you can for others. Join or start an Australian First Responder Running Tribe today

05.01.2022 The #ABC Morning Show hosted by Nick Rheinberger recently interviewed Wade Norrie (AFRF Board Member) on the Foundation, #FirstResponders and #PeerSupport Programs and Retreats that the Foundation is aiming to support and provide. Nick Rheinberger is a great supporter of First Responders and we were incredibly grateful for the opportunity to chat. Click the link below to listen.

02.01.2022 Hi All, last week the AFRF were invited to be part of an #International #Frontline #Mentalhealth and #wellbeing wellbeing event . Louise joined an expert panel discussion about #mentalfitness in first responders. If you missed it here's the link to all the recordings - https://teacherempowermentproject.co.uk/frontline-fulfilme/