In an Australian first, a new guide sets out good practice principles and a framework to support emergency response agencies to track potentially traumatic event (PTE) exposure and organisational responses.
Developed from research in partnership between Natural Hazards Research Australia, Phoenix Australia, AFAC, Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Country Fire Authority, NSW Rural Fire Service and Victoria State Emergency Service Agency, Good practice principles for tracking potentially traumatic event exposure and organisational responses in emergency services provides a set of practical, sector-endorsed principles to guide how fire and emergency service agencies monitor PTE exposure and respond to associated psychosocial risks.
Emergency service work inherently involves exposure to PTEs, which can accumulate over time and affect both mental health and wellbeing. While some agencies have systems to record these incidents, approaches vary widely and evidence on best practice has been limited.
Developed as part of the Best practice for tracking potentially traumatic event exposure and organisational responses project, led by Phoenix Australia – Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health.
The research team reviewed international literature, consulted with emergency services across Australia, New Zealand and internationally and engaged experts and lived-experience representatives to develop a practical, sector-endorsed framework.
The guide complements broader organisational efforts to support mental health and wellbeing and provides agencies with a reference point for aligning existing systems with sector-endorsed good practice. Agencies may use it to review current systems, inform policy updates, or guide the design and selection of future tracking systems.
Stage 2, currently underway, is developing implementation tools such as a Quick Reference Guide, Practice Note and Good Practice Audit, along with an Implementation Monitoring and Feedback Plan to help agencies track use and gather feedback.
The Good practice principles guide and Stage 1 Final Report are now available for download and will continue to evolve as the sector develops and implements tools to support consistent, evidence-based approaches to managing PTE exposure.