42
Recommendation 27 That the Victorian Government monitor PFC levels in all firefighters in Victoria accompanied by appropriate health advice and current research. Government commitment: The First Responder Health Program will be an opt-in/voluntary program to complement existing mental and physical health and wellbeing programs and champion preventative and early intervention strategies. It is proposed to include: • •
enhanced or additional programs to test, monitor and provide First Responder health services, (including those related to PFC levels) an online portal to enhance information and web-support for health and wellbeing.
Lead agency
EMV
Status
Ongoing
The inquiry recommended that the government monitor PFAS levels in all firefighters in Victoria accompanied by appropriate health advice and research. The government supported the recommendation in principle and committed to developing a voluntary program to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for first responders. The government commitment proposed that the program include: •
enhanced or additional programs to test, monitor and provide first responder health services, including those related to PFAS levels
•
an online portal to enhance information and support for health and wellbeing.
Development of a first responder health program also forms part of the government response to two independent reviews – the 2015 Victorian Fire Services Review and the 2016 Review of the Hazelwood Long Term Health Study. 47 In 2017 the then Minister for Emergency Services endorsed two initial priorities for an Emergency Responder Health Program: •
the completion of a feasibility study to identify gaps in the existing mental and physical health services offered by CFA, MFB and Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES)
•
the development and delivery of a web-based program for emergency responders to access tailored health information.
EMV has secured funding for the program through to 2021–22. Web-based program for emergency responders to access tailored health information EMV has identified through consultation with responder agencies that a new web-based program to access tailored health information is not necessary as an existing health and wellbeing app, 'Let Me Know', already provides the relevant functions for emergency responders to access tailored health information. Developed by the Let Me Know Foundation, the app was launched for MFB firefighters in 2018 and for CFA firefighters in 2019 48. It allows users to track their mental health and wellbeing, provides tools to assist them in managing their mental health and wellbeing and directs them to support channels where necessary.
47
The reviews and government responses are available via engage.vic.gov.au/fire-services-review and www2.health.vic.gov.au/emergencies/hazelwood/health-study.
48
Refer to www.letmeknow.org.au/. The Let Me Know app performs similar functions to the Equipt app available to VicPol members.
