Illinois § 5

§ 5.

Definitions. In this Act: "Emergency services provider" means any public employer that employs persons to provide firefighting services. "Emergency services personnel" means any employee of an emergency services provider who is engaged in providing firefighting services. "Law enforcement agency" means any county sheriff, municipal police department, police department established by a university, the Department of State Police, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Children and Family Services, the Division of Probation Services of the Supreme Court, the Office of the Statewide 9-1-1 Administrator, and other local or county agency comprised of county probation officers, corrections employees, or 9-1-1 telecommunicators or emergency medical dispatchers. "Peer support advisor" means an employee, approved by the law enforcement agency or the emergency provider, who voluntarily provides confidential support and assistance to fellow employees experiencing personal or professional problems. An emergency services provider or law enforcement agency shall provide peer support advisors with an appropriate level of training in counseling to provide emotional and moral support. "Peer support counseling program" means a program established by an emergency services provider, a law enforcement agency, or collective bargaining organization to train employees to serve as peer support advisors to conduct peer support counseling sessions. "Peer support counseling session" means communication with a peer support advisor designated by an emergency services provider or law enforcement agency. A peer support counseling session is accomplished primarily through listening, assessing, assisting with problem-solving, making referrals to a professional when necessary and conducting follow-up as needed. "Public safety personnel" means any employee of a law enforcement agency. (Source: P.A. 101-375, eff. 8-16-19.)