Recognising Burnout in Emergency Service Workers

MD

Understand burnout in emergency services, recognise early warning signs and learn strategies to prevent exhaustion and protect your mental health.

Most people who choose a career in emergency services have a desire to help others. Keeping communities' safe takes more than frontline response alone. It takes people working across a range of operational and support roles, all of which play an important part of protecting and supporting others.

That same dedication can also put you at risk of one of the most invisible threats to your wellbeing: Burnout.

Australian research within the last 10 years suggests burnout is common among emergency service personnel. Studies of Australian police officers and paramedics have found that around half or more respondents reported moderate to high levels of burnout or met the criteria for burnout.

Here we look at the signs that you might be experiencing burnout and how to overcome it, as well as tips on how to prevent burnout if you feel you might be close.

What is burnout and how does it look in emergency services

Burnout is more than feeling tired. It can affect concentration, memory, motivation, relationships and work performance. Recovery often involves restoring energy, reducing ongoing stressors, reconnecting with supportive people and reviewing the work habits that may be keeping the stress cycle going.

Over time, the demands of work can gradually deplete energy, affect concentration and reduce the capacity to recover between shifts. Research suggests that burnout is associated not only with exhaustion, but also difficulties with attention, memory, emotional wellbeing and work functioning. It's important to remember that burnout is not a sign of weakness or a lack of commitment. Many highly capable and dedicated people experience burnout when workplace demands remain high for extended periods without adequate recovery and support.

"Our research shows that … burnout is over-represented in dutiful, reliable, caring people … That's part of its tragedy - that burnout is over-represented in good people." – Gordon Parker, Founder of the Black Dog Institute.

According to Beyond Blue, you might feel:

Burnout thrives when stress is chronic and your inner resources don’t match the load. In an emergency services role, it could be exacerbated by factors including:

  • Long or irregular shifts with little predictable rest.

  • Heavy emotional weight such as repeated exposure to suffering, trauma and life-and-death scenarios.

  • Frustration with systems and processes. Common concerns may be administrative backlogs, resource limitations, inefficient processes and workload pressure.

  • The expectation to ‘carry on’ when you’re close to your limit.

Strategies to prevent or recover from burnout and how to recognise early signs of burnout

  • Spot the early signs

Have you noticed yourself watching the clock on shifts? Ask yourself: Am I distancing from colleagues? Do I dread going to work or feel like nothing I do matters? Recognising these signs early gives you a chance to intervene.

Beyond Blue have an easy to use Burn Out Check-in Tool that you can complete in under 10 minutes, that will provide you guidance on what to do next, based on your score.

  • Protect rest and work life integration

Taking the time to recover matters. Regularly skipping rest days, filling downtime with more work or noticing your sleep is being eroded by shift patterns may be signs that work is eating into your recovery times. As best you can, try to prioritise sleep and recovery routines and make sure you’re finding time for activities that you enjoy when you’re not at work, such as hobbies or spending time with family and friends

  • Engage with your support network

Burnout thrives when people feel alone, unsupported or unable to talk. Reach out to your peer-support network for check-ins and have open conversations about mental health. Remember you always have access to complete a MyWellbeing mental or physical health screen.

  • Set boundaries and expectations

One of the hardest boundaries to set can be with yourself. Many emergency service workers are used to putting others first, saying yes to extra shifts, and pushing through tough days without speaking up. Check in with yourself regularly: Are you carrying more than you can realistically manage? Do you need support? If the answer is yes, start the conversation. Reaching out to a colleague or trusted leader early is often one of the most effective ways to protect your wellbeing

  • Focus on meaning, impact and identity outside of the job

Reconnect with what drew you to emergency services. Measuring your impact helps   sustain motivation and may strengthen your sense of purpose within your role.In addition to this, try reflecting on the things that matter to you outside of work, too. Learning something new or simply making space for parts of your life that aren't connected to the job can give you another place to find connection, enjoyment and a sense of purpose.

Where to from here?

Putting other people's needs first can take its toll, and recognising when you're exhausted, stressed or overwhelmed is an important part of staying well. Small things like taking proper breaks, prioritising activities you enjoy outside of work, maintaining boundaries and reaching out for support early can help protect your wellbeing over the long term. And if anything in this article has resonated with how you’re currently feeling, know that support from MyWellbeing, and Wellbeing Services is confidential, so if you would like to learn more or speak with someone, you can find us here

MyWellbeing Contact us

Wellbeing Services - (08) 8995 5422 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm)

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 000 (Triple Zero).