FireTRiM is a proactive approach, which aims to ensure that colleagues are supported following any potentially traumatic experience (PTE) experienced at work. It addresses the legal, moral and ethical organisational duty of care by providing clear management strategies and provides meaningful peer group interaction and support with minimal disruption.
The philosophy of FireTRiM is to do no harm, and through the introduction of FireTRiM Practitioners, to put trauma awareness and support at a grass roots level, rather than keeping it ‘in the hands of experts’. Relying on external experts to provide psychological interventions after a PTE is a flawed plan. Rather, it is useful to train a wide range of FireTRiM Practitioners from across the whole Fire and Rescue Service.
FireTRiM is a credible approach that supports National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidelines on the management of PTSD (NICE, 2018). There is evidence that the approach makes a difference through normalisation, education and mobilising social support. FireTRiM is an evolution of an approach (TRiM), which experts in the field of traumatic stress have supported in the scientific literature. The methodology has proven efficacy and does no harm.
Specifically, since 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak has created unprecedented pressure on Fire and Rescue Services across the globe. For all of us, during challenging times it can feel overwhelming, and difficult to maintain mental health and wellbeing when coping with so much uncertainty and turmoil at home and at work.
Looking after staff after a PTE at work is both morally justified and legally necessary. Additionally, it makes sound economic sense to avoid the loss of valuable personnel to the effects of psychological trauma.
There is ample evidence that people exposed to work related stress are likely to be less effective at work, more likely to be absent from work and to suffer poor mental health.
Fortunately, the evidence is clear that early actions in the support of staff, the availability of easily understood and accessible self-care resources, a trauma informed organisation led with a compassionate leadership approach, all play a part in keeping staff well in the most challenging of times. FireTRiM addresses all these issues.
Our FireTRiM courses are available in a face to face or online blended learning format.
Typically, face to face FireTRiM workshops are 2 consecutive days for a Practitioner Course and 2 consecutive days for a Management Supervisor Course.
| Venue | Address | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shrewsbury | Shropshire Headquarters, St Michael's Street, Shrewsbury SY1 2HJ | 11th November 2019 |
| 2 | Telford | The International Centre, St Quentin Gate, Telford TF3 4JH | 25th April 2019 |
| 3 | Shrewsbury | Shropshire Education and Conference Centre, Mytton Oak Road, Shrewsbury SY3 8XQ | 4th April 2019 |
| 4 | Wellington | Civic and Leisure Centre, Tan bank, Wellington, Telford. TF1 1LX | 22nd March 2019 |
Should a virtual format be required we already have a proven and successful online, blended delivery option utilising our secure learning portal. The online learning segment of the FireTRiM course is in 3 parts :
The online learning is followed by a Consolidation Webinar including practical training and role play through our bespoke facility.
On completion of the course, delegates receive their FireTRiM Accredication Certificates at the approriate level and have access to additional resources and continued support and advice from our expert facilitators.
For an overview of our FireTRiM Practitioner Online Course - Coming Soon
In addition to achieving FireTRiM Practitioner or FireTRiM Manager status, our FireTRiM courses are accredited on the Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW), on the Quality Assured Lifelong Learning Pillar of the framework (QALL). This means that they are fully accredited units which have a level and which carry credits which are equivalent to those on the regulated qualifications frameworks in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and they are fully recognised and understood across Europe because they articulate with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and to the frameworks of other countries, making them internationally recognised.
We have worked with Agored Cymru, the Welsh Awarding Body to gain this accreditation, and as a result of their inclusion in the CQFW, they meet regulatory requirements, are aligned to the respective frameworks and meet national education priorities.
In summary, we can offer -
Qualification providers can use QALL credits for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and where appropriate for direct credit transfer i.e. transfer of that credit within and between education providers."
Our FireTRiM App is available to download on the app store, using the link below. The App contains more information and details of forthcoming courses. Having completed the course, the app allows access to the course documentation, practitioner and management documentation and guides along with helpful documents and links relating to TRiM from a wide range of sources.
