Firefighters, EMS and other first responders face a lot of risks on the job, and a lot of risks that follow them home. Sometimes these risks are minor and sometimes they grow into physical and mental problems.
The more we talk about this, the more brothers and sisters we can help. Before I did research on this topic, I had only seen a few of these services, and my Firefighter husband had only heard of one.
Often times we don’t know of the help we need, when we need it. Together we can be aware of the options and end the stigma around mental health and fitness, so that our Fire Family can avoid some of these preventable losses.
We can also bring more awareness and highlight resources in our diligent effort to prevent LODD’s.
Here is a list of non-profits and organizations that can help support those who risk their lives for others. This list is not exhaustive, I will update as I find new information. I am not affiliated with any of these groups nor did I receive any incentive to list them. If I have missed a group or charity, please leave a comment or send me a message!
Stay Strong Fire Family!!
Mental Health Awareness, Suicide Prevention, Family Help
Main Suicide Hotline-
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Share the Load Program–
Fire/EMS Help line- 1-888-731-FIRE (3473)
-The NVFC’s Share the Load™ program provides access to critical resources and information to help first responders and their families manage and overcome personal and work-related problems.
Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance
-The mission of Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance is to collaborate, develop and implement behavioral health awareness, prevention, intervention, and post crisis strategies to provide firefighters with an easily accessible and confidential source of information.
Next Rung
-Ultimately we strive to make an impact in the First Responder Community… It’s that simple!!! So our goal is to provide resources to help combat the mental health issues that plague Fire, EMS, and Police personnel. We serve so faithfully, now it’s time to be served ourselves.
10-33 Foundation
-10-33 Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a dedicated mission of providing
stress management & mitigation education & training (S.A.M.M.), consultation services, emotional and spiritual support services,
and follow up care to the first responder professions, military members and their families.
Safe Call Now
Safe Call Now is a CONFIDENTIAL, comprehensive, 24-hour crisis referral service for all public safety employees, all emergency services personnel and their family members nationwide.
Suicide Sucks
Nobody knows what it’s like to be in your shoes. But there are some who’ve walked similar paths. Check out their stories to see how they faced suicide, and conquered.
LODD and LODD prevention for Firefighters
National Fallen Firefighter Foundation–
OUR MISSION IS TO HONOR AND REMEMBER AMERICA’S FALLEN FIRE HEROES, TO PROVIDE RESOURCES TO ASSIST THEIR FAMILIES IN REBUILDING THEIR LIVES, AND WORK WITHIN THE FIRE SERVICE COMMUNITY TO REDUCE FIREFIGHTER DEATHS AND INJURIES.
Everyone Goes Home
-Fire Life Safety Initiatives by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
Close your door
-The Close Your Door safety initiative comes as the result of over 10 years of research by the UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute (FSRI). After proving that a closed door could potentially save lives in a fire, UL FSRI has committed to share this finding with the world.
Firefighter Near Miss
-Lessons Learned Become Lessons Applied
Hoarding awareness-
https://chamberofhoarders.com and www.hoardingcleanup.com
First Responder Center
-First Responder Center for Excellence for Reducing Occupational Illness, Injuries and Deaths, Inc. The First Responder Center for Excellence is an affiliate organization of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
Cancer Resources and Prevention
Take No Smoke
-This website supports the Take No Smoke campaign and shares information on our efforts to mitigate exposures whenever we can. Share these videos, use the Contact Us page to ask questions, and learn about our initiatives.
Not in our House
-Not in Our House asks firefighters to sign an online pledge of safety on the website, www.notinourhouse.com, and provides downloadable resources, awareness statistics, and an outlet to share personal firefighter cancer stories.
Extinguish Cancer
-Extinguish Cancer™ was created to be an extension of Bob’s reminder, to continue the conversation, and bring action and awareness to cancer in the fire service. Sadly, cancer is the most dangerous and unrecognized threat to the health and safety of our nation’s firefighters.
Firefighters and Asbestos Exposure
Firefighters are at risk of Asbestos Exposure when they are dealing with older housing and commercial structures. This extensive guide covers information pertinent to Firefighters and their family to reduce and prevent exposure, as well as resources and information following an exposure.
Additional Resources:
Infographic- https://www.nwcg.gov/sites/default/files/six-minutes-for-safety/Firefighter-Health-and-First-Aid/6MFS_FirefighterMentalIllnessSuicide.pdf
For the Fire Wife LODD- https://firefighterwife.com/blog/2013/07/13/that-knock-on-the-door-lodd/
IAFF Behavioral Help- http://client.prod.iaff.org/#page=behavioralhealth
LODD Awareness- https://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/firefighters-take-suicide-prevention-training/
International Suicide Program- http://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/resource_firstresponders.pdf
https://www.sprc.org/resources-programs/qpr-ems-firefighters
Suicide Awareness-