Access and relations between the Aboriginal and Torres Islander Communities and first responders must remain positive.  Developing and maintaining trust enables first responders to support Indigenous people, families, and their communities. Trust aids in reconciliation and trust empowers Indigenous communities to heal from within.

The term “First Responders” traditionally, is used to refer to firefighters, police officers, and paramedics. However, significant debate exists within scientific and medical literature, concerning which professions should be included as first responders. For example, numerous studies include “000” dispatchers, Correctional Workers, Nurses, Physicians, and Public Safety Personnel such as SES, VRA, and RFS volunteers.

Although the specific roles of these different groups may vary, they all face multiple potentially psychologically traumatic incidents within the course of their duties. 

Their service to the state places them at a heightened risk of experiencing mental health difficulties and disorders including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and burnout.  This heightened risk of exposure to potentially traumatic events can lead to them becoming ‘secondary traumatic victims’.

These varied groups of professionals are the people that we all turn to in our hour of need, they in return need our care and support.