A revamped support system for firefighters is being rolled out nationwide, to deal with stress.

Firefighters have seen an increase in the amount of medical call outs in the past two years, with some crew members struggling to cope with the trauma of more 'code purple' call outs.

Boyd Raines, from the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Association, said the difference between them and paramedics is the fire service goes to the worst of the worst, where people are either dead or close to it.

"The problem is when we originally picked up this work it was essentially dumped on us with no real prior warning and what the firefighters felt was adequate training."

Raines said people who have been in the fire service for longer than two years, have had this responsibility lumped on them.

"Some feel that this is not what we signed up for and they just want a little bit more training and help when they need it."