In the aftermath of the Boston Marathon Bombings of 2013, the entire Boston region was affected -- especially our Public Safety/First Responders. 

 

For our Police, Fire, and EMS family members, Crisis Intervention and Peer Support resources were a normalized part of their duty.  Though, it took many years to have the mechanisms in place to ensure their overall health and well-being.

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The events of 2013 became an "epiphany" moment for the sworn supervisors of the 911 Operations Division in Boston. The long-term effects of the cumulative trauma that the 911 personnel were exposed to were not just beginning to show in the work and personal lives of many of the workers, but had been present for quite sometime.

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The journey to create the FIRST 911 Peer Support team within the Massachusetts State Peer Support Network began in late 2013 with the support and guidance of Sgt. Mark Friere (ret.) and the Boston Police Peer Support Unit, which is viewed as the "gold standard" in Peer Support for First Responders throughout the world.

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The team was even more fortunate to also have the guidance and clinical resources of Dr. Hayden Duggan and The On-Site Academy. The only 365-day facility dedicated to the mental health of First Responders and Veterans.

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After five years of ICISF training in "Assisting Individuals in Crisis & Group Crisis Intervention", as well as  "Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention", our completely volunteer-based team was able to train over two dozen interviewed and clinically-vetted team members, all of whom are also 100% volunteers.

 

On July 28, 2018 the Commonwealth 911 Peer Support Team (f.k.a. Boston Area Peer Support/Metro Boston 911 Peer Support) was unanimously voted into the Massachusetts State Peer Support Network. 

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Our continued advocacy for equal treatment to that of our other Public Safety/First Responder families have resulted in changes in culture, operating procedures, and infrastructure.

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In the spring of 2023 the Boston Police Operations Division unveiled their "Quiet Room" as a place where the Commonwealth 911 Peer Support team members could conduct their work with peers in crisis.

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In February of 2024, SEIU Local 888 along with the Commonwealth 911 Peer Support team was able to successfully negotiate into the Collective Bargaining Agreement language ensuring release time for members to attend their monthly team meetings.

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With members proficient in seven different languages spoken, representation from LGBTQA+, those with disabilities, domestic violence and cancer survivors, our team is here for their fellow 911 Emergency Telecommunicators 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to answer the call for service.

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Offering Debriefings, Diffusions, a One on One call or meet-up, we are here for you when you need to talk to someone who understands you: A true peer.

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We are here when "911 needs 911"

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24/7, 365 HOTLINE: (840) 600-PEER (7337)