Fire service rolls out ‘wellbeing’ gardens where crews can reflect on traumatic incidents

A FIRE service has created “wellbeing” gardens where crews can “sit and reflect” during shifts in an attempt to reduce work-related stress.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) said the “tranquil spaces” are designed to help firefighters who deal with traumatic incidents.

The gardens, which have been opened at two stations in Redbridge and Havant, feature flowers, ponds, bird feeders and sitting areas, and are decorated with sculptures.

Steve Apter, deputy chief fire officer for HFRS, said: “I am hugely proud of the strides that our organisation has made in terms of raising awareness of mental health issues and supporting our colleagues.

“The outstanding work that has gone into designing, building and maintaining these tranquil spaces shows the wellbeing of our staff really is at the heart of everything we do.

“The gardens represent an essential area on station which allows our people to take time away from the challenges they face each day.”

This year, 837 firefighters took time off work because of mental health issues brought on by the job at 19 out of the 49 services in the UK, compared with 608 in 2014-15.

Rob Jenks, Redbridge station manager, said: “I am so proud of what our teams have achieved. Everyone who attended the opening event agreed that all the hard work has really paid off.

“I’m delighted that we have this fantastic resource, which is open to any member of staff to use at any time.”

The garden space at Havant is being transformed by firefighters and staff from local company Apollo Fire Detectors Ltd, with it scheduled to be finished at the start of 2020.

The service is also training more of its staff to become mental health first aiders.

In 2016, HFRS began using assessments designed to get firefighters talking about the incidents they have attended to prevent them suffering post-traumatic stress disorder.

Specially trained members of staff are on hand to discuss incidents, provide help and assess what other support is needed.

Data for 57 fire, police and ambulance services in England, Wales and Northern Ireland shows that the number of staff who took time off due to mental ill health rose by a third between 2014 and 2018.