This presentation offers insight into the role of a behavioral health coordinator in the fire service. Dr. Gina Dunckel will share her perspective on the relationship between a peer support team and mental health clinician, including how to identify when behavioral health consultation is needed, how to refer to higher levels of care, and how to establish privacy and confidentiality for members. Attendees will gain a greater understanding of the benefits of the relationship between a peer team and the clinical oversight of a mental health professional, and how to develop privacy protocols and effective programming.
Hannah Elmore, MSW works as Community Outreach Coordinator for the IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery through Advanced Recovery Systems. She is an experienced leader in the social services and healthcare industry with a blended experience of direct client services and community outreach.
Dr. Gina Dunckel is a licensed psychologist who has been practicing in the greater Houston area for over seven years and began specializing in first responders five years ago. She was trained in PTSD clinics at the VA in Houston and Harlingen. Dr. Dunckel runs a busy private practice as well as working with fire and police departments throughout the state of Texas providing consultation for mental health programming, peer support teams, and psychological first aid and sleep hygiene training.
Matt Barrere is a Driver/ Paramedic in the Pearland Fire Department in Texas. Matt is currently the Chairman of The Peer Support Team at his department, with over five years of operating in a heavily utilized and progressive team. Matt has 15 years of experience working in urban and suburban Fire Departments in the greater Houston area, 12 of those years rotating on and off an ALS transport unit.
