Jeju Fire Department Operates 'Psychological Support Team' to Promote Firefighters' Mental Health

Published 29 Aug.2023 10:48(KST)

The Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Fire Safety Headquarters (Chief Kim Suhwan) has established a dedicated department, the ‘Psychological Support Team,’ to promote the mental health of firefighters and prevent post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and has begun full-scale operations.

According to the Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters on the 29th, the Psychological Support Team, formed this month, was created to build an integrated mental health management system covering all areas from personal issues to job-related stress, reflecting the unique job characteristics of firefighters and supporting customized psychological recovery.

Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters building. [Photo by Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters]

In particular, the team focuses on in-depth management of high-risk groups for mental health by deploying counselors who are both colleagues who understand and empathize with the professional environment of firefighters, who inevitably face horrific situations at various disaster sites, and hold professional qualifications.

Accordingly, the Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters plans to concentrate all efforts on psychological support for firefighters through a step-by-step cyclical process centered on the Psychological Support Team, including ‘early detection - in-depth counseling - recovery support.’

Along with a mental health survey for all employees, the team will directly visit 32 119 centers across 4 fire stations to provide stress measurement and one-on-one customized counseling services through the operation of a ‘visiting counseling room’ to identify high-risk groups early.

Additionally, by strengthening the emergency psychological support system, preventive measures for PTSD will be implemented for employees who have experienced incidents expected to cause significant psychological shock, and a mobile counseling window will be operated at all times to provide immediate psychological counseling and dedicated management through connections with medical institutions.

Furthermore, through various health projects such as the ‘Mental Health Healing Program’ and the ‘Stress Resilience Enhancement Program,’ which relieve stress through rest and healing, and the ‘Safe Program,’ which supports in-depth counseling and customized treatment with specialists, more continuous and meticulous services will be provided through thorough prevention and aftercare.

Chief Kim Suhwan stated, “The mental health of firefighters is the cornerstone that supports the safety of the residents. Through the interest and empathy of colleagues and the organization, we will identify early warning signs of firefighters in crisis and make every effort at the organizational level to ensure they can recover quickly through thorough aftercare.”