Stewart and Heaton Mental Health and Wellbeing Masterclass
Healthy Ageing, Healthy Retirement Masterclass for first responders - Proceedings

17 April 2019

The 2018 recipient of the Leading Practice in Mental Health Award was the SA Metropolitan Fire Service (SAMFS). Their elected masterclass topic ‘Healthy Ageing, Healthy Retirement’ reflected their award-winning initiative.

Recognising the continued need to address mental health and wellbeing issues facing fire and emergency service personnel across Australasia, AFAC hosted the Healthy Ageing, Healthy Retirement Masterclass on 17 April, sponsored by Stewart and Heaton Clothing Company.

The objective of the masterclass was to raise awareness of the issues around transition to retirement by providing insights into good practice from across the sector and demonstrating the impact retirement may have on the mental health and wellbeing of personnel.

The masterclass covered a broad spectrum of presenters and topics to provide a comprehensive snapshot of the current research and initiatives to assist with healthy ageing and retirement for first responders.

SA Metropolitan Fire Service (SAMFS) Wellness and Safety Project Officer, Glen Cook, presented on behalf of Dr. Darja Kragt from the University of Western Australia. The presentation was on the Career Firefighters’ Transition into Retirement study and the program developed with the SAMFS, including insights into the recently completed Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA (DFES) final report.

James Maskey, Beyond Blue’s National Engagement Manager for Police and Emergency Services presented the recent findings from the Beyond Blue Answering the Call study that was supported by the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC.

Rich Adams from Team Rubicon Australia presented on the key values of purpose, community and identity for military veterans and first responders, and how Team Rubicon maintains these three things for veterans after service by engaging in disaster relief, serving with others and recognising their impact as an individual.

Andrew McGarity, Manager Injury Management Health and Safety at Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) presenting on Health Benefits of Good Work and the development of the Career Transition Booklet developed through consultation with current and former firefighters and drawing inspiration from the National Rugby League (NRL).  

The masterclass was relevant for all first responders, with Nicole Brown, Workforce Planner, People and Culture at Ambulance Victoria, presenting on their recent initiative, Transition to Retirement: The journey to a life beyond Ambulance Victoria, and Tim Peck, Manager of Wellbeing Services at the Police Association of Victoria, discussing pathways to retirement for the police service.

The partnership between AFAC and Stewart and Heaton aims to highlight the work of agencies at the forefront of leading practice in the mental health and wellbeing space. This is achieved through the Leading Practice in Mental Health Award, which was presented for the first time at the AFAC18 conference and will continue over a three-year term. Details will be released shortly regarding the 2019 award and agencies are encouraged to submit their health and wellbeing initiatives.

SAMFS was the winner of last year’s award for their demonstrated leadership in the space, including their participation in the University of Adelaide’s Centre for Traumatic Stress Studies, University of Western Australia’s Career Firefighters’ Transition into Retirement study, and their establishment of a dedicated wellness and safety department to provide a proactive approach to reduce stigma in the organisation.

The Leading Practice in Mental Health Award includes the opportunity to choose the masterclass topic. Stewart and Heaton support the event by providing $10,000 to ensure it is open to all first responders. The masterclass is facilitated through the AFAC Mental Health and Wellbeing Network, responsible for addressing issues relating to mental health and wellbeing policy and practice, strategies and research.

The Healthy Ageing Healthy Retirement Masterclass was well attended by representatives from ACT Emergency Services Agency, ANZPAA, CFA, Council of Ambulance Authorities, DELWP, DPFEM Tasmania, Emergency Services Foundation, Fire and Rescue NSW, MFB, QFES, SAMFS, SES Victoria, and the UFU Tasmania.

The Healthy Ageing, Healthy Retirement Masterclass was made possible by Stewart and Heaton Clothing Company.