A 'Gentle Bear' to cuddle for care and support should help lift the spirits of Yass children who experience trauma in emergency-response situations.
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Two and a half thousand of the teddies have been sent to 46 Rural Fire Service stations around NSW, including Yass, with 2500 more to follow next year.
The initiative began with an insurance company in South Australia that since partnered with Insurance and Care NSW (icare) to bring the bears here.
Spokeswoman Britt Coombe said psychological injuries could be "the most costly and life-changing" for first responders as well as trauma patients.
"We hope Gentle Bear will not only benefit children affected by emergency situations, but the wellbeing of our volunteer fire fighters who are able to 'doing something' in a situation that can otherwise make them feel powerless," Ms Coombe said.
Giving support to others can reduce physiological stress responses during times of trauma, with the act of giving itself contributing to beneficial health outcomes, she said.
