Who we are
There are very few charities supporting the emergency services and most just support a single service in a specific way. Often assisting victims, survivng relatives or commemorating the dead. Code 9's goal is to help first responders and their family's that are suffering here and now and to show them that, even though they often feel it, they are never alone.
PTSD doesn’t just affect one service. A Civilians cry for help begins with the 000 telephone call to ESTA, then through to the radio despatch out to the police, fire and ambulance members working as a team to combat a critical incident. The nature of a first responder from the police, fire, ambulance or ESTA services is so similar that the camaraderie between the services is very strong and exclusive.
Code 9 brings together those team members again, to support each other, this time in their own fight, just as they did on the street. Code 9 also incorporates the chance for the Partners & Carers of members to get involved and get their own support.
Code 9 proves to the current & veteran first responder and their families that “you are never alone.”
Our Vision
To ensure that no professional first responder feels alone, ever.
Our Mission
To provide immediate emergency welfare to serving and veteran professional first responders and their family.
To provide support, advice and guidance to members in critical need of assistance.
To fund and coordinate the provision of assistance dogs to mentally injured first responders.
To supply meals to members in need, provide house cleaning, garden maintenance, grocery vouchers and other assistance as needed.
To send members and/or family away on much needed respite weekends.
You Are Never Alone
It became clear after his own diagnosis of PTSD that support for first responders suffering with PTSD and their families was difficult to find. Mark Thomas, the founder of Code 9, truly felt that he was on his own in his fight and wanted to build a safe space to show others that they are never alone.
He created Code 9 to provide professional emergency service workers with a community of people that understand exactly what they are going through as all of the other members have found themselves on a similar path.
What began as a small private Facebook group has now grown into a recognised and registered charity that provides emotional and financial support to members and their families suffering from PTSD.
CODE 9
The History
more...
The History of Code 9
On April 8 2003 our founder, Mark Thomas, attended a suicide as part of his policing duties and he was hit hard by the sight. Something was markedly different to any other deceased persons or trauma scenes he had attended in the past but failed to recognise and heed to the subsequent warning signs. Although Mark did not spill one drop of blood that day, he was still undeniably severely injured; the resultant psychological damage was significant.
Read more...Our People
Mental Health Advocate
Code 9 Ambassadors
Ray Chamberlain
CODE 9 AMBASSADOR
We would like to welcome Ray Chamberlain to Code 9 as our latest ambassador. Ray is a founding member of the Chamberlain Foundation. The Chamberlain Foundation is a suicide prevention and mental health charity providing support to organisation whose services help Australians prevent and recover from these experiences.
Read more...Gillian Lantouris
CODE 9 AMBASSADOR
Gillian Lantouris is a journalist working for Nine News. She has worked for the Nine Network for five years covering a range of topics from crime and courts, political issues, breaking news and various current affairs.
Read more...Tiff Cook
CODE 9 AMBASSADOR
Tiff Cook epitomises everything that we stand for, health (both mental and physical), fitness, wellbeing, open and honest mental health conversations, recovery, and growth.
Tiff is a businesswoman, performance coach, boxer, fitness expert, a huge supporter of first ...
Read more...Alex Prestney
CODE 9 AMBASSADOR
Alex wishes to help enhance and be part of units that contribute to assisting members’ welfare and mental health, as he wishes to give back to the Victoria Police community, and help other members who may find themselves in difficulties, using his own experiences as policing in general can take a significant toll on members, in no matter part of the force they work within.
Read more...Our Partners & Supporters
