EAPFirst
All Vermont first responders employed by VLCT member towns, the State of Vermont, and numerous sheriff departments and private rescue services qualify. If you're unsure, call us!
We provide free and confidential short-term counseling to you and your household members. We provide group debriefings with trained peers following critical incidents.
All of our counselors share a passion for supporting first responders and all are experienced helping people resolve exposure to trauma.
Call us 24/7: 1-855-EAP-1NOW
Why Do Your Peers Call EAPFirst?
Our free and confidential services are available to any Vermont first responder.
We staff a statewide network of trauma‐informed, licensed EAPFirst counselors.
Here's a sampling of real-life situations in which we regularly support you:
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Exposure to traumatic event
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Family stress or resentment
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Alcohol or drug use
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Injury or illness
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Depression and anxiety
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Financial and legal concerns
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Peer support
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and anything else that's on your mind.
Chiefs also contact EAPFirst; visit our page for department leaders.
Our services are confidential and voluntary.
Where to Start and What to Expect
Our EAPFirst call center is open 24/7.
Call us at 1-855-EAP-1NOW (1-855-327-1669) if you'd like to talk to someone now or set up an appointment with one of our clinicians.
What Does a Session Look Like?
Our counselors understand first responder culture.
EAPFirst clinicians have undergone training by Vermont police, fire and other first responders in police and fire culture, trauma, and peer support skill-building.
Your sessions with our network of statewide EAPFirst clinicians are always confidential, free, and client-led. That means you get to decide the focus and goals for your EAPFirst support.
Peer Support and Building a Network
EAPFirst believes in both prevention and response; this means our peer support and training helps you help each other even before a traumatic incident. The stronger you are walking into a shift, the more resilient you'll be when the emergency hits.
EAPFirst conducts the training of Peers in each county in Vermont. Regional trainings are held by experts within the Vermont law enforcement and counseling community and/or by ICISF trainers, and covers topics such as supporting individuals in crisis and assisting with or leading CISDs for group support.
Peer leaders are trained on how to use and promote EAPFirst for psychological support, and they form a connection with their local EAPFirst clinicians.
We Cover Families and Household Members Too
Our free and confidential services are available to any Vermont first responder and their family.
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Short-term, solution-focused counseling on any topic and resources for all police, fire, EMS, dispatch, and volunteer responders, and anyone living in their household.
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We can help with any problem, large or small
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Our counselors help people gain balance between work and family issues; deal with mental health, financial or legal concerns; and provide unbiased support for difficult life transitions
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Household members use the same EAPFirst number and can call independently and confidentially
critical incident debriefings and group support
EAPFirst provides clinical services and critical incident stress debriefings to your department following a tragic incident. During this pandemic, all of our services are conducted via HIPAA-compliant telecounseling.
EAPFirst counselors traditionally accompany Green Mountain CISM on every CISD they do statewide.