Peer Support Team

The Henderson County EMS  Peer Support Team is comprised of paramedics who have been trained in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM). The Peer Support Team members are trained to assist individuals and groups in emergency services by providing crisis intervention, also known as "emotional first aid", during and after critical or highly stressful and emotional events. Team members are trained to provide defusings, debriefings, demobilization, strategic planning, and referrals and follow-up services as needed. The mission of the team is to mitigate the effects of day-to-day stress as well as providing support and "first aid" in critical events, providing resources and tools for maintaining good mental health, and fostering an environment for building resilience.

Many EMS Peer Support Team members are also a part of the greater Henderson County Peer Support Team and the WNC Peer Support Network which offers CISM for all emergency services agencies throughout the county as well as assisting other surrounding agencies as needed. 

In addition to our Peer Support Team, Henderson County also provides embedded behavioral health professionals to assist our paramedics, AEMTs, and other first responders.  Henderson County EMS staff also have access to volunteer emergency services chaplains.