Resources to help fire departments recognize Safety Stand Down from June 16 - 22.
Safety Stand Down is an annual event that encourages fire departments and other emergency service organizations to suspend all non-emergency activities during the third week of June and take that time to focus on safety. This year's theme is “Break the Stigma: Behavioral Health RESET,” which encourages personnel to better understand behavioral health challenges, including burnout, injuries, anxiety, and suicide, as well as ways to help support their team.
Getting the Conversation Started
“Leaders can start by sharing a personal story of their own,” says Rick Gurba, Director of VFIS Education, Training and Consulting. “Your story could help break the stigma and encourage your members to talk about post-traumatic stress events with a chief officer or station captain, rather than internalize them. If applicable, you can also remind your team about assistance options that are available to them through your employee assistance program, like VFIS' Member Family Assistance Program (MFAP)."
4 Resources to help you recognize Safety Stand Down:
-
Uncovering the Silent Battle of First Responders
This article outlines how the cumulation of stressors that first responders face can impact mental and behavioral health—plus, shares simple tips to help raise awareness about behavioral health within your emergency service organization.
- Podcast Episode: Peer Support
Listen to this podcast episode, featuring Chief Chaplain Jimmy Fannin of Chaplains Corps of Lancaster County, to hear suggestions and best practices for providing peer support to fellow first responders.
- Online Course: Behavioral Health Concerns
Available for free to VFIS clients through VFIS University, this online course introduces behavioral health concerns for emergency services personnel, as well as best practices and considerations to help address these risks.
- 8 Dimensions of Wellness for First Responders
This article gives on overview of wellness and behavioral health, explains how they're connected, and shares no-nonsense tips to help emergency service organizations address wellness using eight key areas of concern.
We thank you for taking this time to focus on how critically important it is to look after yourself and we're honored to potentially assist you in those efforts. If you have any questions about these resources or wonder what training opportunities are available to you as a VFIS client, please reach out to your dedicated Training Representative. We'd be happy to help!