Fire & EMS Leader Pro The job of old firefighters is to teach young firefighters how to become old firefighters!
By: Robert Avsec, Executive Fire Officer
Today’s Firefighters face unique and intense challenges that can significantly impact their mental health. The nature of their work exposes them to traumatic events, physical danger, and elevated levels of stress. Like many issues facing our society today, the effects of those stressors have been amplified by the increased influence of social media and the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that’s caused many firefighters to leave the profession. One result of the former is a decrease in the level of social skills that are critical for the personal interactions that are so important to the development of effective teams in a fire department.
The latter has resulted in decreases in available staffing for many fire departments whether they are career-staffed or volunteer-staffed. This has elevated the use of overtime, both voluntarily and involuntarily, in career and combination departments requiring those individuals in a fire department to work more hours with less time off to cope and recover from job stress. This exacerbates the lack of restorative sleep, another issue that researchers have shown to contribute to higher stress levels and negative impacts on physical health as well.
In volunteer-staffed fire departments, fewer members mean those remaining members are responsible for taking on more of the workload with the same negative impacts as those experienced by their career counterparts.
Firefighters face several major sources of stress in their job, including:
Work Schedules. The irregular hours and long shifts (often 24- or 48-hour shifts) can disrupt sleep patterns and strain personal relationships.
Sleep Deprivation. Chronic lack of quality sleep can lead to physical and mental health issues, including mood changes and impaired decision-making.
Inadequate Training. Insufficient training can lead to fear and poor job performance and increasing stress levels for an individual. The increased influx of new members can create doubt in the minds of their experienced co-workers as to whether the “newbie” is up to the job.
Technical Problems. Malfunctioning gear and equipment can create dangerous situations and add to stress. This is particularly true for female firefighters who historically have been issue ill-fitting personnel protective equipment (PPE) because of a lack of PPE that’s designed for the female anatomy.
Organizational Stress. According to Daniel DeGryse, a Battalion Chief and Director for the Chicago (IL) Fire Department/Rosecrance Florian Program, the greatest source of stress for firefighters is organizational stress. This includes factors like lack of support, interpersonal conflict, micromanagement, burnout, bullying, and exclusion.
Poor Leadership. Ineffective leadership, particularly at the fire company level, can lead to a lack of support and increased stress among firefighters.
Inconsistent Policies. Unclear or changing policies can create confusion and frustration.
Malicious Coworkers. Negative interactions with colleagues can contribute to a stressful work environment. This is particularly true for women and other members of the non-majority group (Based on numbers) in organizations where the majority group is composed of white males.
High Demand. The constant pressure to perform in life-threatening situations can take a toll on mental health. Beyond that, firefighters are responding more frequently to calls for service for which they’ve not been adequately trained (e.g., individuals in crisis, hoarding, interactions with non-English speaking populations). (It’s a highly stressful situation trying to provide life-saving medical care to a patient who can’t speak English!).
Read next: 5 firefighter safety issues we shouldn’t still be talking about
Despite the resilience and bravery that characterize the profession or avocation, firefighters are not immune to mental health struggles. Tragically, firefighter suicides are a growing concern, and the fire service must take initiative-taking steps to better understand and address this issue.
The Scope of the Firefighter Suicide Problem
Compared to the general population, firefighters experience higher rates of mental health issues such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Studies have shown that firefighters are at an increased risk of suicide, with rates significantly higher than those of the public. The connection between PTSD and the traumatizing nature of rescue work is clear, and the annual number of firefighter suicides is estimated to be 200 or more and growing.
Yet, we don’t have a clear answer to the question, Why does a firefighter take their own life?
Necessary Steps to Better Understand Firefighter Suicide
More Data Collection and Research. With 200+ firefighters taking their own lives annually (And that’s a “ballpark figure” because there is currently no national data collection program in place to collect and analyze such data) there’s a critical need for more research. The Ruderman White Paper Update on Mental Health and Suicide of First Responders isthe most widely referenced source when discussing firefighter suicide and it was published in 2018.
The fire service needs to advocate for the funding necessary to collect accurate data on firefighter suicides. That data collection must include conducting a psychological autopsy for every firefighter suicide if we are to gain insight into understanding the prevalence, causes, and contributing factors of firefighter suicides. As it stands, there is no psychological autopsy program dedicated to identifying and understanding the specific dynamics that contribute to firefighter suicide. Although there is advocacy for the inclusion of data tracking, there is a need for a system with greater specificity. The fire service would benefit from adopting a psychological autopsy system to improve prevention and intervention strategies to address the firefighter suicide problem specifically. —Dr. Kristen Wheldon, Psy.D, in Psychological Autopsies: Identifying Root Causes of Firefighter Suicide for Prevention.
Psychological autopsies are a proven methodology in psychology for gaining the necessary insights to answer that critical issue of Why do firefighters take their own lives? With that information we could more accurately identify patterns and risk factors which can then be used to develop more effective suicide prevention strategies.
Increase Mental Health Literacy. Firefighters need to become more educated about mental health, including recognizing signs of mental health issues, understanding the importance of seeking help, and knowing how to access mental health resources. This can help reduce the stigma associated with mental health and encourage firefighters to prioritize their well-being.
More Culturally Competent Clinicians. We need to develop more psychologists and masters-level clinicians (e.g., clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, marriage and family therapists) who understand what firefighters do, why they do it, how they do it, the conditions under which they do it, and the unique stressors of the job. Culturally competent clinicians with such knowledge are better equipped to develop and provide mental health programs and interventions that are congruent with the needs of firefighters.
Improve Peer Support Programs. Anecdotal evidence indicates that the establishment of peer support programs within a fire department can provide firefighters with a safe and supportive environment to discuss their mental health challenges. Culturally competent clinicians must be more involved in developing and maintaining effective peer support programs that can help reduce the stigma associated with seeking help and provide firefighters with the resources they need to cope with stress and trauma.
Improved Access to Mental Health Services. Fire departments must ensure that firefighters have access to comprehensive mental health services, including counseling, therapy, and crisis intervention. This can help address mental health issues before they escalate and provide firefighters with the support they need to maintain their well-being.
Policy and Advocacy. Fire service organizations should advocate for policies and legislation that support firefighter mental health. This includes funding for research specifically focused on the firefighter population, a national reporting system for firefighter suicides—including psychological autopsies—mental health programs, mandatory mental health screenings, and access to professional counseling services.
Conclusion
Understanding and addressing firefighter suicide requires a multifaceted approach that includes data collection, mental health literacy, cultural competency, peer support programs, access to mental health services, and policy advocacy. By taking these steps, the fire service can better understand the mental health challenges faced by firefighters and provide the support they need to thrive both personally and professionally. It’s time for the fire service to act and make mental health a top priority.
Additional Readings
The Role Industrial/Organizational Psychologists Should have in Fire and EMS Departments
Let’s build some kindness into our firehouses
Leading During Chaos – The True Meaning of “Creating a Family Environment”
References
Ali, D. It’s Not the Calls: Firefighter Mental Health and Organizational Leadership. Fire Engineering. May 10, 2023. <Available online> https://www.fireengineering.com/firefighting/its-not-the-calls-firefighter-mental-health-organizational-leadership/?form=MG0AV3
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Firefighter Mental Health and Well-being.<Available online> https://www.firehero.org/firefighter-mental-health/
U.S. Fire Administration. Firefighter Mental Health and Well-being. <Available online> https://www.usfa.fema.gov/about/usfa-events/2023-10-10-usfa-summit/mental-health-and-wellbeing/
Wheldon, K. (2024). Psychological Autopsies: Identifying Root Causes of Firefighter Suicide for Prevention. Fire Service Psychology Association. White Paper. <Available online> https://firepsychology.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/FIRE_PsychologicalAutopsies_052024.pdf
