About us…
OUR STORY
It started with two paramedics with a passion to support their peers and the grit to follow their desires to see change in a profession they both love; followed by a community supporting them.
Through grassroots initiatives came the development of EMS Peer Support & Wellness Solutions aimed at supporting the well-being of EMS practitioners’.
HISTORY
Mark has been a long time Peer Support member and has seen a flurry of change in the program over his years on the team. In 2014, it was evident more support and attention was needed not only to the Peer Support program, but towards supporting the membership. The stressors of the job and the inherent risks of experiencing traumatic calls, human suffering and operational/organization stressors are all consuming. Both Molly and Mark recognized this impact on visceral level, as did many others, which sparked in her a deep desire to make a change. In 2015, the loss of one of their fellow paramedics due to suicide propelled the mission into fifth gear. With organizational support and nomination from the membership a Mental Health Task Force Team was created where Molly, Mark and five others began to research best practices and industry standards across Canada and Internationally. A technical paper titled “Development of a Psychological Support System: Establishing a Healthy Mental Workplace” resulted from this work. These recommendations were submitted to the employer….and the door to change was beginning to crack open.
For seven years after the death of their member, Mark and Molly with collaborative support from their peers and leadership in the organization grew the peer support program from 10 members (2015) to at most 140 members (2020). By 2021 the Peer Support membership settle at just over 120 active and dedicated members. The creation and sustainability of wellness initiatives (as listed below) in addition to the creation of enhanced, consistent community connection opportunities has now forced the door to change wide open.
A Peer Support Team was created in Edmonton Zone EMS in 2015 to support the membership, connect people to resources and build relationships. Developed and maintained through volunteerism, this group has created numerous programs which are solely funded through the generosity of donors and fundraising.
“The Peer Support Team Mark and I had the privileged to co-create and manage from 2015-2022 are a remarkable group of individuals that empower staff to be their best and show up as their best. A group of over a hundred individuals who give so much of themselves to support others, especially throughout the pandemic. The EMS practitioners throughout the Edmonton Zone have also been a big part of this success story. Collectively showing their unwavering patronage in supporting the mission to create a psychologically safe workplace that is people centered. So, we want to stop right there and say…..Thank you for supporting your peers and improving the workplace!”
– Molly Varga 2021
Moving into the Future…
We are excited to highlight the good work that is being done to improve the psychological wellness of our practitioners.
This effort has been a collective one by all; we recognize this and truly appreciate all the support. The role of the EMS Peer Support & Wellness Solutions will continue the work at supporting EMS practitioners as much as possible, for as long as possible.
The work moving forward through EMS Peer Support & Wellness Solutions is done so as a separate and sole entity that offers sponsorship to Peer Support programs and wellness initiatives in the Edmonton Zone. EMS Peer Support & Wellness Solutions will grow the opportunity to sponsor other Peer Support program wellness initiatives throughout the province.