Led by Fortem Australia, the annual awareness day on June 10 aims to foster greater understanding, connection and year-round support for first responders.
The campaign comes as front-line personnel continue to face increasing pressure, with more than 14 million Triple Zero calls made across Australia in 2025.
Research shows one in three first responders experience high or very high levels of psychological distress due to trauma on the job.
Fortem Australia chief executive Mick Willing said the psychological impacts of repeated exposure to trauma often continued long after a shift ended.
“First responders don’t just attend emergencies, they absorb them,” Mr Willing said.
“Whether it’s police arriving first at a violent incident, paramedics treating life-threatening injuries, or firefighters responding to disasters, they are stepping into the rawest moments most people will never witness.
“These aren’t one-off experiences. It’s the cumulative exposure to trauma, shift after shift, that takes a real toll.”
Fortem Australia is expanding its support services to include former first responders within 10 years of leaving active duty, recognising that the effects of trauma can emerge or persist long after service ends.
Mr Willing said this year’s campaign was focused on turning gratitude into meaningful action.
“We’re asking Australians to support first responders in practical ways, whether that’s leaving a message of thanks, shouting a coffee, supporting a local initiative or donating to vital wellbeing programs,” he said.
“If we want first responders to continue showing up for us, we need to show up for them too.”
For more information, visit fortemaustralia.org.au/tafrd-2/.
