Fire & EMS Leader Pro The job of old firefighters is to teach young firefighters how to become old firefighters!
By: Robert Avsec, Battalion Chief (Ret.) and FSPA charter member
The Fire Service Psychology Association (FSPA) will host its 5th Annual Conference on October 7, 2022 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm PST. The conference will be an online event given the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic–and its variants–on large group gatherings and air travel for many people.
The FSPA conference epitomizes the goal of FSPA: Bridging the gap between professional psychology and the fire service. Our central objectives for meeting that goal are:
FSPA seeks to bridge the gap between professional psychology and the fire service by:
- Providing continuing education courses to mental health professionals.
- Educating fire departments about the psychological components of prevention, intervention, and recovery processes.
- Building a community of mental health professionals specifically dedicated to fire service personnel and their families.
We at FSPA feel strongly that equal participation by both professional psychologists and fire service leaders is paramount to the successful bridging of the gap. As a member of FSPA, and a retired member of the fire service, I’m calling on my fire service colleagues to meet professional psychologists halfway: Join FSPA and register for the 2022 conference.
Along with that, if your fire department has a relationship with a professional psychologist, encourage them to join FSPA and register for the conference. But if you don’t, contact some of the psychologists in your community and share this article with them, along with your personal invitation to join FSPA and participate in this year’s conference.
We all know that many of our firefighters and fire officers faced many challenges to their mental health wellness, especially during the past 18 months of the unrelenting COVID-19 pandemic. Through my work with FSPA, I know that professional psychologists are valuable resources that can help our people. So, let’s work together to bridge the gap, OK?
About FSPA
FSPA is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit recognized by the IRS. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law. Tax ID Number: 82-0643019.
FSPA is a nonprofit organization developed to bridge the gap between professional psychology and the fire service. We believe through effective firefighter-specific training and intervention; we can develop and maintain psychological health for years to come. Founded in 2017, our organization is located in Southern California although we offer services to fire service agencies across the country and around the world.
