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Employee Assistance Programme (HELP) offers an employee counselling service, provided by trained counselling and welfare practitioners. SFRS staff can access support for themselves and their immediate families 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Details of how to contact the EAP are on the SFRS intranet.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) is the democratic and professional voice of firefighters, in all roles and on all duty systems. We have officials who are trained and experienced to support, advise and represent members on fire stations, within operational fire control rooms and officers working flexibly. Our trade sections cover the retained, control and officer members and our equality sections cover Black & Ethnic Minority, LGBT and Women members.
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The FBU also has reps covering Fairness at Work, Health & Safety and Education. Any member looking for support, advice or representation can find the details of our officials on our website. We have an education pathway where members can apply for courses on a wide range of areas including mental health, suicide prevention and handling members problems.

The Fire Officers' Association is an independent, non-political trade union representing and supporting fire and rescue staff in relation to all aspects of employment including health and wellbeing; our ethos is ‘people not politics’.  Links to resources are available from our Personal wellbeing web page and personal support in confidence can be accessed by phoning or e-mailing our Head Office. For more information, call 01608 652023 or visit the website.

The Rivers Centre (NHS Lothian) provides specialist support and treatment to Scottish Fire and Rescue staff adversely affected by traumatic incidents at work. The Rivers team have been supporting emergency responders for more than 20 years. 

Post incident support is activated by the incident commander following a challenging job. Three weeks later you will receive a “check-in” questionnaire to fill in and return to the Rivers Centre. One of the team may call to see how you’re doing and you can use the questionnaire to self-refer for support.

Call 0131 451 7400 or email Rivers.Centre@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk for more information.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Family Support Trust exists to provide financial and other support services to serving and retired members of SFRS and their families. This includes grants bereavement grants, hardship grants, registered beneficiaries, Christmas grants and the Children’s Investment Trust - a fund to support Service children who have suffered parental loss. 

As well as providing financial assistance, FST offers a Spanish respite facility, to assist with rest and recuperation and arranges social activities for registered beneficiaries. FST also has support from both Chaplains: Father Jim Thompson & Reverend Gordon Armstrong.

Members experiencing financial or emotional difficulties can contact the Unison Welfare Charity, There for You, which provides a confidential advice and support service for members and their dependents.

Contact your branch secretary or the Scottish Welfare Committee on 0845 355 0845.

Sapper Support is 24/7 PTSD helpline staffed by veterans and 999 personnel. We give emotional and physical support to sufferers of PTSD and other associated mental health issues. We can also speed up the process of recovery by financing that all important diagnosis.

Call 0800 040 7873 / 0800 040 7783 or text 07860018733.

Voluntary peer support for SFRS personnel. During COVID-19 sessions will take place virtually on Wednesday evenings, 1930 – 2030 hours. To join the weekly session please contact John Mitchell, Mandy Ironside or Murdo Henderson for details.