This February, NPSS along with the President of the FFMV presented two sessions to Fire Command personnel from across Massachusetts on Mental Health Issues in the Fire Service at the 2019 Fire Chiefs’ Association of Massachusetts (FCAM) Conference.
Some of the contemporary topics faced by administrators that were discussed included stress, depression, addictions, suicide, veteran challenges, and fire service specific critical incidents that may be encountered. Insights as to potential indicators of these challenges being present amongst their personnel were discussed. Suggestions to bolster individual and agency resiliency, and support resources available to departments when faced with these challenges were presented.
It was an honor to be able to present to this audience and it was great to see so many command personnel taking such an interest in a non-judgmental way in the well-being of their department members’ mental health.