EMERGENCY service personnel met at Horsham’s May Park on Friday to raise awareness for post traumatic stress disorder.
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Country Fire Authority District 17 operations manager Dale Russell said firefighters and other emergency service personnel spent their professional lives looking after the community and it was important they also looked after themselves.
“It was about getting the message out there,” he said.
“It wasn’t a fundraising exercise; it was an awareness exercise.”
The walk included 30 CFA staff alongside police, State Emergency Services, Forest Fire Management Victoria and CFA volunteers relay walking around the park from 10am to 1pm.
The concept was inspired by Walking off the War Within – a major challenge in Ballarat inspired by the life and death of firefighter Nathan Shanahan.
Mr Russell said CFA management took the opportunity to speak to those gathered about the pressure of the job as well as the importance of looking after themselves, their families and each other.
“It went pretty well on the day,” he said.
Mr Russell said members were unable to attend the Ballarat day so decided to share the message in the Wimmera.
It's about raising awareness and looking after each other.
- Dale Russell