Act 69
Call/Text for Help
State and national resources for first responders to call and text for assistance with mental health in a crisis:
- First Responder Peer Support Hotline: 1-267-893-5400, operated by Pennsylvania-based Lenape Foundation (Number Printed on all EMS Certification Cards)
- National Safe Call Now: 1-206-459-3020, Safe Call Now is a CONFIDENTIAL, comprehensive, 24-hour crisis referral service for all public safety employees, all emergency services personnel, and their family members nationwide.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
- National Crisis Text Line: Text "FRONTLINE" to 741741
- Pennsylvania County Crisis Lines (PA Department of Human Services)
- International Critical Incident Stress Foundation Hotline: 1-410-313-2473, Any emergency service organization, or individual connected with an emergency service, may call the 24-hour Emergency Hotline for assistance or information on locating a Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team. If a situation distresses emergency workers and they need guidance in working through the stress, this hotline can also be called.
- Veterans Crisis Line (For Veterans Only) 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1)
- Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
- Pennsylvania Drug/Alcohol Treatment Hotline: 1-800-662-4357 (PA Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs)
Available Training Resources
TRAIN-PA Courses
The below courses are available on TRAIN-PA and are sponsored by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner and the State Fire Academy. Users must establish an account on TRAIN-PA in order to view content.
- PA-PSFA Had a Bad Call?
- PA-PSFA How to Better Support Your Fellow First Responder
- PA-PSFA Capturing the Load
- PA-PSFA Being a First Responder During a Global Pandemic
Federal Courses
The below courses are available from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and address content related to the mental health of first responders of all disciplines.
- SAMHSA First Response: This one-hour online training course was developed in response to the impact the opioid crisis has had on first responders across the country. It addresses the mental and physical stressors faced by firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, and police when responding to opioid overdose calls and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Pre-hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE). This course also provides evidence-based coping strategies, resources, and exercises to help mitigate the impacts of these stressful events.
- SAMHSA Creating Safe Scenes: This one and a half-hour online course helps first responders use safe, positive approaches to assist individuals in crises related to mental illnesses or substance use disorders. Accredited by CAPCE for continuing education credit, the course presents information about mental health, mental illness, and substance use disorders so that responders can better assess risks and apply the safest strategies for taking care of themselves and the individuals they are called to serve.
- SAMHSA Shield of Resilience Training Course: This free, one-hour, online course provides law enforcement officers with a foundational skill set to better understand and address the behavioral health stressors that are unique to law enforcement.
- SAMHSA Service to Self: This one-hour online course is specifically for fire and emergency medical services personnel. Accredited by CAPCE for continuing education credit, the course addresses occupational stressors; mental health and substance use issues including depression, PTSD, suicidality, and alcohol use; individual and organizational resilience; and healthy coping mechanisms including stress management techniques.
Other Commercially Available Training Resources
There are a variety of different commercially available training resources that are available, sometimes with a cost for content. Placement of a course in this tool kit does not constitute an endorsement by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
- Psychological First Aid Training: This is a FREE course offered by John Hopkins University. Utilizing the RAPID model, this specialized course provides perspectives on injuries and trauma that are beyond those physical in nature. The RAPID model has been found effective in promoting personal and community resilience.
- Mental Health First Aid for Fire and EMS
- NVFC Share the Load Videos
- Stress First Aid for Fire and EMS Personnel
- On the Job and Off
Tool Kits and Program Development
There are a variety of different tool kits and resources that are available to address different components of first responder mental health and assist with education and program development.
- National EMS Management Association EMS GRIT Resources for Stopping Stigma
- National EMS Management Association EMS GRIT Resources for Building Resilience
- NFFFF Fire Service Behavioral Health Management Guide
- NAEMT Guide to Building and Effective EMS Wellness and Resilience Program
- SAMHSA First Responders: Behavioral Health Concerns, Emergency Response, and Trauma
- NVFC Share the Load Program
- NVFC Psychologically Healthy Fire Department: Implementation Toolkit
- Resources for Forming a CISM Team
- NHTSA Office of EMS Webinar: Agency Wellness Programs that Work
- You | Responder Strong: Built specifically for first responders, this wellness platform provides personalized resources to help you take charge of your health, well-being, and everything in between.
- Example Emergency Medical Services Peer Support Team Manual
- American Ambulance Association Promoting Suicide Safety for EMS Providers
- New Jersey Emergency Medical Services Psychological Support Guidelines
- SAMHSA Tips for Disaster Responders: Identifying Substance Misuse in the Responder Community
- SAMHSA Tips for Disaster Responders Preventing and Managing Stress
- SAMHSA Disaster Responder Complete Toolkit
Other Resources
- National Association of Emergency Medical Technician EMS Mental Health Resources
- Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Disaster Human Services and Emergency Operations
- NHTSA Office of EMS COVID-19 Behavioral Health Resources for First Responders
- International Critical Incident Stress Foundation
- Code Green Campaign
- HHS/ASPR TRACIE Topic Collection: Responder Safety and Health
- NAEMT Responder Resilience
- Suicide Prevention Resource Center Resources for First Responders
If you have other resources that you feel should be included in this publicly available toolkit, please email the resource to paems@pa.gov