Attention UFLAC members and retirees. This message is to notify you that the UFLAC Open Enrollment Family Event on Saturday, October 12th has been cancelled due to the proximity of the fires in Santa Clarita.

The UFLAC Benefits Trustees are available to visit your stations and locations near your residence by appointment should you have any questions during Open Enrollment. You may also visit our online benefits enrollment website at www.uflacbenefitenrollment.com or call the Benefits Office at 213.977.9014, extension 2

Stay safe.

Bulletin 18-19

August 9, 2019

Voluntary USC Survey For

“Stress In The Fire Service”

Please consider taking this 10-minute online survey will consist of answering questions about your knowledge and experience of stress in the fire service. Participant and survey information will remain confidential, and only members of the research team and the University Southern California’s Human Subjects Protection Program (HSPP) may access the data. The HSPP reviews and monitors research studies to protect the rights and welfare of research subjects.

UFLAC has approved this survey for LAFD members, and if you are interested in participating in this research study please follow the link below:
https://usc.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7VBTxFy7oX3J9Ah

The survey will close on Friday, August 16, 2019.

Bulletin 03-19

February 8, 2019

 

UFLAC PEER SUPPORT

JOIN US FOR GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS MANAGEMENT TRAINING

 APRIL 2-4, 2019

United Firefighters of Los Angeles City (UFLAC) is excited to offer a three-day Group Crisis Intervention and Assisting Individuals in Crisis Training (GRIN) on April 2-4.

The Group Crisis Intervention section is designed to teach the central elements of a “comprehensive, systematic and multi-component crisis intervention curriculum.” Fundamentals of Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) will be outlined and participants will leave with the knowledge and tools to provide several group crisis interventions and understand the value and importance of follow-up services, including when and how to make appropriate referrals to vetted professionals when needed.

As Peer Support has grown and developed over the years, the type of services that Peer Support personnel provide have also changed. In the past, most Peer Support occurred in a group setting assisting Mental Health Professionals with defusings and debriefings. While there is still an important place for group interventions, today, Peers are providing crisis intervention utilizing a Peer-based model.

While crisis intervention is NOT Psychotherapy, it is a “specialized acute emergency mental health intervention which requires specialized training. As physical first aid is to surgery, crisis intervention is to psychotherapy.” This section of the class, Assisting Individuals in Crisis, is designed to teach participants the fundamentals of, and a specific protocol for, individual (one-on-one) crisis intervention.

The curriculum that we are utilizing is material that has been developed by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF). We will provide each participant who successfully completes the full three days of training with Certificates of Completion from the ICISF, which is a nationally-recognized Certification.

Tiffani Collier, the main trainer for our class, is one of three CISM trainers for the United States Coast Guard and we are very grateful to the Coast Guard for releasing Tiffani to provide our training. In 2000, Tiffani achieved Trainer status with the ICISF after leading over 600 CISM interventions for first responders after the crash of Alaska Airlines Flight 261. Tiffani has coordinated CISM responses for maritime law enforcement teams, led interventions following suicides, line of duty deaths, and mid-air collisions of military aircraft, and she aided after Hurricanes Katrina and Ike. I have personally had the opportunity to work with Tiffani in the past and I know that you will get a lot out of her training.

If you are interested in taking this three-day training, please let us know so that we can provide enough materials for everyone. To receive the certification, each participant will need to complete the full three days of training.

Please RSVP to Maria Rendon at [email protected] by March 8th if you are interested in attending. If you have any questions about this training, you can contact me at [email protected].

Sincerely,

 

Steven. F. Froehlich, Ph. D., MFT #7666

Director

Behavioral Health Services

United Firefighters of Los Angeles City

IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery

The IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery is a one-of-a-kind addiction treatment facility specializing in PTSD for IAFF members – and IAFF members only – who are struggling with addiction, PTSD other related behavioral health challenges to receive the help they need in taking the first steps toward recovery. It is a safe haven for members to talk with other members who have faced or overcome similar challenges.

Care for your unique needs

If you’re struggling with post-traumatic stress along with co-occurring depression, anxiety or substance abuse disorders, you need treatment from professionals who understand the fire service culture and the unique pressures of your job. The IAFF Center of Excellence connects you to best-practice, evidence-based therapies delivered by clinicians who understand the types of trauma you experience on a day-to-day basis.

Completely confidential treatment

Center staff cannot discuss your treatment with anyone — your fire department, family or friends — unless given explicit permission by you. This applies before, during and after your stay at the IAFF Center of Excellence.

Our Partner: Advanced Recovery Systems

With seven treatment centers across the United States, the continuum of care provided by Advanced Recovery Systems is unsurpassed. The IAFF has partnered with Advanced Recovery Systems to provide members with specialized treatment for the everyday stressors that trigger PTSD, behavioral health disorders and substance abuse.

IAFF CENTER OF EXCELLENCE

13400 Edgemeade Rd
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
(301) 327-1955
www.iaffrecoverycenter.com