Co-sponsored by CFSI and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, the Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award was established in 2009 to recognize public safety organizations for outstanding contributions to the advancement of firefighter health and safety. Deadline for nominations is Dec. 6, 2018.
Keywords: wildland firefighting, Wildland
Wildland firefighters from around the country say the status quo about safety must change. Too many wildland firefighters are dying and getting hurt. This is the key message from a series of listening sessions the NFFF held across the country.
Learn More:
» A Conversation with Vicki Minor & Ron Siarnicki
» 16 Initiatives for the Wildland Firefighter
» Everyone Goes Home® in the Wildland
Keywords: Firefighter Wellness, safety, wellness, Health, Firefighter Safety, Firefighter Health
The September issue of Firehouse Magazine features the 2018 Fire Service Health and Safety Report. This 32-page supplement emphasizes the value of a progressive, safety-focused fire service culture, and provides information and resources to help firefighters implement the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives.
Like many people in the fire service, the gravity of what Diana has seen and experienced lingered with her, leading to a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In 2009, she began competing in off-road trail races and triathlons to deal with her PTSD symptoms and found great healing in the sport.
The NFFF has partnered with Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, a leading suicidologist with experience in developing innovative programs for first responders. As part of this assessment, Dr. Spencer-Thomas created a survey to gather feedback from fire service members (active, retired and non-uniformed), support groups (clinicians, EAP providers, chaplaincy groups, etc.) and family members.
We’re collecting information about SOPs on cancer reduction, violent incidents, mental health, and response policies to highlight best practices.
A variety of departments provided their expertise to develop the guide to help others create a successful behavioral health program. It emphasizes the key roles department leadership, firefighters, peer support and clinical support play to maintain these efforts.
To help fire departments around the nation adopt the 16 initiatives, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation has created a new handbook, The Strategic Vision Guide: An Action Plan Using the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives.
Newport News Fire Department Safety Officer Lt. Sidney Lucus was named Virginia’s Firefighter of the Year for a new mental health peer support program he organized and help launch for the city inside station #1 downtown.
Keywords: firefighter suicides, suicide, suicide prevention
The risk of firefighter suicide is a growing concern within the fire service. More research has become a priority to better understand the issue and assist in developing interventions. A recent study of 893 firefighters by Florida State University and published in the latest issue of the Journal of Psychiatric Research shows a strong relationship between post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and suicidal thoughts and attempts among firefighters.
