Skip to main content

Injury Reporting

Employees should report all injuries, accidents, and near misses as well as all unsafe work areas and unsafe work practices to the H&S Bureau.

Peer Support

The Columbia Fire Department has a group of trained members who are available to provide support to firefighters after potentially traumatic calls. The leader of the Peer Support group has spent countless hours responding to and coordinating these efforts. The peer supporters are there to listen, provide information about coping, and to arrange further assistance when that is wanted or needed.

Chaplain Program

The Columbia Fire Department Chaplains are available to listen and provide support from a spiritual perspective.

Counseling

The Columbia Fire Department’s goal is to have the psychological risks of the fire service addressed as aggressively as other safety and physical health care concerns. Professional resources are available to any member of the Department who would like to talk about work or personal stressors.

Peer Support

Members of our department who are in need of counseling or support following exposure to a traumatic incident are asked to contact Amy Lutz with Post Trauma Resources LLC. She can be reached at (803)309-2647 or by sending an email to flow@posttrauma.com

Peer Support Program

The Peer Support Program offers an informal and private opportunity (available 24 hours a day) for firefighters to speak with other firefighters, to assist with any issues that may be causing difficulties in your life. The program is intended to help you clarify your concerns and explore your available resources.

Remember that reaching out for help or guidance on an issue is not a weakness in your character. We are here to assist you.

The Peer Support Program is preventative maintenance. For many of you, just talking about your problem will help. Peer Supporters, or “peers”, have received formal training in listening skills and are able to recognize, and help prevent stress by helping you understand the effects of stress. Peer Supporters can also refer you to other assistance, if needed.

The Peer Support Program is not an element of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), nor is it a substitute for professional help. The program is an opportunity available to you for discussing issues or pressures you may encounter during the course of your job or in your private life. Since Peer Supporters are not mental health professionals, there is no official record kept of individuals who use the Peer Support Program.

A critical incident is any event, on or off the job, that pushes you outside the realm of your coping mechanisms, and that can result in significant emotional and/or physical reactions. Such an event could seriously affect those who are directly or indirectly involved.

WHEN TO SEEK ASSISTANCE:

  • When there is an overwhelming situation that impacts you at work, home, or in training…
  • When you have intense feelings of discomfort, stress, or confusion…
  • When you have significant symptoms that persist longer than 6 weeks…
  • If you have suicidal thoughts, or other self-destructive behaviors…
  • If you feel like you are losing control…
  • If you just want to check in and see if you are OK.

Employee Health

Address: 2012 Harden St # 112, Columbia, SC 29204

Tel: (803) 231-3122

Regular Hours:
Mon – Fri  7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sat – Sun Closed