Sponsored Content by the First Responder Behavioral Health Institute By: Robert Avsec, Battalion Chief (Ret.), Executive Fire Officer The phrase “cutting edge” comes from the literal idea of a blade’s sharp edge—something at the forefront of action, able to cut through resistance. Its earliest figurative uses date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when the phrase was ...

By: William Hux, Chief Fire Marshal, Va. State Fire Marshals Office, Va. Fire Marshal Academy Now that FDIC 2025 has ended and 37,000 fire service members have moved out of Indy, it’s time to share some thoughts (yes as always – it’s my normally long thoughts, sorry).The week was full of friends I haven’t seen in a year, classes with ...

Editor’s Note: The following from my fire service colleague, John Murphy, was originally published on LinkedIn and is presented here with his permission. By: John K. Murphy, Esq., Veteran, PA-C, Chaos Manager and Attorney The American fire service is frequently described using familial language. Firefighters call one another “brothers” and “sisters,” departments are referred to as “families,” and leaders often ...

Original Graphic by Robert Avsec. This picture depicts, IMHO, the different “nations” that make up the “fire service” in the U.S. The different “nations,” represented by the bold red and blue lines, are based upon my knowledge of the different “fire service cultures” that exist in those “nation.” By: Robert Avsec, Executive Fire Officer A fire service colleague, J. Gordon ...

By: Robert Avsec, Executive Fire Officer CFD Recruit School #12. That’s me, front and center holding the helmet. On my first day as a new firefighter graduate of Chesterfield Fire Department’s Recruit School #12—now the Chesterfield Fire and EMS Department—I reported to Fire Station #11 for my first tour of duty August 3rd, 1982. After we completed the daily checks ...

The First Responder Behavioral Health Institute (FRBHI) is a pioneering organization dedicated to addressing the mental health needs of first responders. Established in 2022 by Joseph Brigandi, a retired fire captain/paramedic who became a licensed professional counselor and psychotherapistat the Counseling Center of Texas, FRBHI aims to provide education, training, and support to ensure the psychological well-being of first responders, be they law enforcement officers, firefighters, or EMS personnel. Today, Brigandi serves as the Clinical Program Director for FRBHI.

By: Robert Avsec, Executive Fire Officer You’re going to have a house built for you. What skilled professionals will you need to build your house? If the house of your dreams is a two-story Colonial-style with a full basement, the list probably looks like this: * Contractor to dig the foundation.* Mason lay the block for the foundation.*Framing carpenters to ...

From the battlefields of ancient Greece to modern war zones and fire grounds, society has been on an evolving journey, attempting to grasp the true nature of psychological wounds.

Dr. Olivia Johnson is the President Shepherds & Sheepdogs, LTD., a professional speaker, author, and suicidology researcher--And one of my 1st Level Connections over on LinkedIn. Dr. Johnson has written a couple articles recently that should give us pause to learn and reflect on what we're doing to prevent suicides and why she believes that those efforts are not working.

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) created the National Firefighter Registry (NFR) for Cancer to better understand cancer risk in the fire service. When you join the NFR for Cancer, you share information about your work history, health, and exposures that can pave the way for new health and safety measures. All U.S. firefighters – with or without cancer, active or retired, and any specialty - can join.