Peer Support

Fire fighters go about their jobs with a supreme sense of confidence – a trait that allows them to go above and beyond to keep our residents safe. But that feeling of invincibility sometimes allows fire fighters to bottle up too much of their emotions without knowing how to deal with them.

The Irving Fire Fighters Association Peer Support Team is here to assist our members and their families by providing them with information and direction to resolve emotionally charged matters. Our trained peer supporters are available to help in a confidential setting at any time – day or night.

The IPFFA Peer Support Team is here to assist you and your family with anything you need including, but not limited to:

• Feeling tired, overwhelmed, or confused
• Home doesn’t feel like home
• Relationship or marriage struggles
• Dependence on alcohol
• Feeling alone
• Losing hope
• Recently losing a loved one
• Feeling like nobody else understands what you’re going through
• Not knowing why you feel the way you do
• Emotional issues during retirement

Whether you’re active or retired, we could all use a lending ear from time to time. We can solve most of the world’s problems at the firehouse kitchen table, but there are a few that you can’t or don’t feel comfortable bringing up. We’re here to be your confidential ear. Sometimes all it takes is for someone to listen to you and validate the thoughts and feelings you may be dealing with to make you feel a little better. What you are going through could be your body's natural response. It might not be YOU, it could be just science. The conversations between you and the peer supporter will remain STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL, with the exception of suicidal thoughts, abuse in the home, or the divulgence of illegal activity. The peer supporters can offer professional resources, support groups, or even other fire fighters and their family members who have dealt with similar situations.