Fayette Co Firefighters Critical Incident Response Team

09/01/2026

Please talk to someone! We are here to listen!

07/28/2026

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06/27/2026

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What would you do if a fellow first responder were in a life or death situation? You would risk your life to help them every time. What are you willing to do for yourself and your family when you are struggling?
We are now registering for our 25th, confidential, expense free retreat. Come get the healing you and your family deserve, free of cost. Register today!

06/25/2026

"When the Shift Ends", is a great channel on YouTube. It shows how PTS is world wide. You are not alone. These stories help you see how it affects others and how they cope.

06/11/2026

**Do psychological interventions actually help first responders?**

A systematic review and meta-analysis examining 15 studies involving firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and search and rescue personnel found that psychological interventions were effective in reducing **PTSD symptoms, depression, and anxiety** among first responders.

Some key findings:

🧠 Psychological interventions significantly reduced **PTSD symptoms**

💙 Interventions were associated with decreases in **depression and anxiety**

📈 **Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)** was found to be more effective for PTSD symptoms than other intervention approaches

👩‍⚕️ Interventions delivered by **licensed clinicians** showed greater effectiveness for PTSD outcomes than those delivered by non-clinicians

⏳ Programs with **more treatment sessions** were associated with better PTSD outcomes

One finding that stood out to me is that mental health support for first responders isn't simply about offering resources—it's about ensuring those resources are **evidence-based, accessible, and delivered by professionals trained to address trauma.**

As someone who researches first responder wellness, this study reinforces something we have known for some time: **seeking help works.** The challenge is continuing to build systems that reduce stigma, improve access to care, and provide interventions that are responsive to the unique experiences of those working in emergency services.

Mental health support is not a sign of weakness. It is another form of protective equipment.

Article- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0272732

💬 What do you think are the biggest barriers preventing first responders from accessing effective mental health care?

06/10/2026

**Mental health in the fire service is influenced by more than individual resilience—it is shaped by organizational culture.**

A recent study examining over **9,000 firefighters across 89 U.S. fire departments** found that leadership, communication, inclusion, and perceptions of safety culture were strongly associated with important outcomes including burnout, job satisfaction, intent to leave the profession, and mental health symptoms.

Some findings that stood out:

🚒 **12%** of firefighters screened positive for depression symptoms.

🚒 **10%** screened positive for anxiety symptoms.

🚒 **9%** reported experiencing suicidal ideation within the past month.

Perhaps most importantly, departments with stronger perceptions of **management commitment to safety** and **supervisor support** reported:

✅ Higher job satisfaction

✅ Greater engagement

✅ Higher resilience

✅ Lower burnout

✅ Lower intentions to leave the profession

✅ Lower levels of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.

These findings reinforce an important message: **mental health is not solely an individual responsibility. Organizational culture matters.**

When leaders foster psychological safety, involve members in decision-making, communicate effectively, and demonstrate a genuine commitment to the well-being of their personnel, they may create environments that support both operational effectiveness and mental health.

As someone who researches first responder wellness, this study highlights why proactive approaches must extend beyond individual interventions. Supporting first responders means investing in healthy organizational cultures, effective leadership, and systems that prioritize both safety and well-being.

Article- https://doi.org/10.1186/s40621-026-00682-5

💬 What changes do you think fire departments can make to better support the mental health of their members?

06/02/2026

June is National PTSD Awareness Month.

Not all wounds are visible.

Take a moment to check on your brothers and sisters who serve and have served—first responders, military members, veterans, dispatchers, and their families.

A simple message. A listening ear. A reminder that they’re not alone.

Check on your people. It could save a life.

04/13/2026

03/22/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1HeEvjdsGX/

Register for our trauma-informed CE courses for first responders. Designed to build resilience by integrating marginal topics into routine training.

02/12/2026

We are Blessed to have Heather as one of our team members and team counselor.

School Counselors play a vital role in our school system. WOAY spoke with two Fayette County school counselors during National School Counselors Week.FOLLOW...