The Ontario Public Service Employees Union is offering a peer support service.

It’s called Boots On The Ground and OPSEU is getting the message out this week about the service across Northeastern Ontario.

Sharon Bak is the Northern Operations Manager for Boots On The Ground.

She told BayToday this is a 24 hour a day 7 day a week service.

“It is primarily targeted to first responders but also front line workers.

Anyone who has exposure to trauma can call. They don’t turn anyone away. It is staffed by volunteers from police, corrections, fire and EMS,” she says.

She says talking to someone who understands that job that you do can be a big benefit.

John Stothers with the Office of the Fire Marshall told BayToday if you have an issue and need to someone to talk to this program fits the bill.

“But you don’t want to talk to someone necessarily from your fire department, your police department or your correctional facility. So this is another way that you can get help,” he says.

OPSEU officials are also going to Timmins, the Sault and Sudbury this week.

(photo by Chris Dawson BayToday)

Filed under: Boots On The Ground, OPSEU