After the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires a public appeal was launched to provide relief to Emergency Service Workers affected by this tragic event. With the agreement of the originators of the appeal the residual funds were used to form a charitable trust for the benefit of Emergency Service Workers. In 1987 the Emergency Services Foundation was established and in line with the origins of the Trust it was determined that provisions of the Trust Deed be directed towards:

The Foundation has recently shifted its welfare focus to the issue of mental health and wellbeing. ESF is connecting the Victorian emergency management sector to continuously improve [prevent, promote and address] the mental health and wellbeing of its 139,000 volunteer and paid emergency service workers. 

Victoria's emergency management sector 'work as one' when they prepare for and respond to emergencies. Through similar collaboration we aim to help reduce the incidence and impact of mental illness across the sector. 

In partnership with the sector ESF will: 

- help to identify and address work-related factors contributing to mental illness
- share experiences and best practice so the sector can learn from each other and continuously improve
- help to reduce the stigma so that people get help early and have the best chance of recovery

Better together. That's what we aim to be.

Emergency Services Foundation

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