Saratoga County Announces Multi-Agency Support Team to Respond To First Responders
BALLSTON SPA —The county announced the formation of a multi-agency peer support team that provides mental health and post-traumatic incident response to first responders in need.
The Saratoga County Peer Support Team (SCPST) is the result of a collaboration between Saratoga County Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Saratoga County EMS Council.
The trained team of 50 members across multiple agencies and responder disciplines, including EMS, fire, and law enforcement, stands ready to aid individual first responders in distress or groups in the aftermath of traumatic incidents.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), among others, report significantly elevated levels of anxiety, depression, PTSD, suicidal ideation and attempts, addiction, and divorce among first responders.
Locally, within the past six weeks, during the team’s pilot, members conducted critical incident debriefings at five agencies and provided individual support and follow up to more than 20 individuals who responded to calls involving fatalities and first responder suicide.
The Team is centrally coordinated and makes use of an existing communication platform. I Am Responding, used by first responders to ensure rapid notification and response in case of need. First responders may self-refer or be referred by agency leaders.
Additional information is available through the Saratoga County EMS Council website at www.saratogaems.org.