Workplace violence is not okay!

First responders routinely encounter life and death situations, as well as violence on the job. This can have a profound impact on both their mental and physical health.

The very nature of emergency services work means providing a safe working environment for first responders can often be difficult, but there are practical ways that first responders can be supported to stay safe and healthy while at work.

In a Safe Work Australia video, four first responders discuss their experiences and share the impact that these have had on both them and their families. Kevin (police officer), Carolina (nurse), Steve (paramedic) and Rachel (firefighter) also identify practical ways that first responders can be supported to stay safe and healthy on the job.

“We are passionate about what we do and we do it with pride, but we don’t go to work to be threatened or attacked — just like you, we want to go home safe to our families every night,” said firefighter Rachel.

Kevin, a NSW police officer, was involved in a violent incident that resulted in him losing a front tooth.

“Eventually I got a dental implant and the whole thing cost around $8000. But worse is I still sometimes feel a little embarrassed about the way that I look,” said Kevin.

“I have been very fortunate I haven’t had any PTSD or anything from that incident. But for many others it can be so bad they need to stop work and I can see how badly it affects them and their family.”

First responders working in the health sector frequently experience violence, with some staff simply viewing this as part of the job.

“I think we tend to just report assaults if we think it was really serious like when someone gets badly hurt or if there was damage to the equipment in the Emergency Department,” said Carolina, a NSW nurse.

“But I guess that is too late and if we don’t tell management they won’t know how big the problem is.”

First responders acknowledge that comprehensive risk management and debriefing procedures following traumatic events are also crucial to ensuring employee wellbeing.

“At my workplace, referral of staff to counselling is mandatory and common after a significant event and usually the staff take up the offer,” said Steve, a NSW paramedic.

“But we should do more to stop it. We need to make sure we support people who experience an assault or feel threatened or traumatised at these scenes.

“As a paramedic, we’re there to help. That’s all we want to do. Please, help us do just that.”

If you find any of the video content distressing, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Syda Productions