Behavioral Health Stand Down

Firefighters called into the line of duty face challenges and situations that few other professions experience. They help people on their worst days and see things that no one should see.

Facing these experiences over and over can lead to a tremendous amount of stress, not to mention the stressors experienced every day outside of this already demanding occupation.

That stress can take a serious toll in ways many can’t imagine.

Sometimes, it can be fatal. Over the last decade, firefighter suicides have routinely exceeded traumatic line-of-duty deaths.

Facing this challenge head-on, the California fire service once again came together this past May for a week-long Stand Down for Behavioral Health and Suicide Awareness. Co-sponsored by CPF, Cal-Chiefs, Cal-OES and the Cal-JAC, the stand-down asks stations to pause normal drills for each shift and focus attention on mental and physical wellness, the toll the job can take, and how to recognize signs that you or someone working with you is suffering.

“One firefighter lost to suicide is one too many, and now is the time to have the discussion,” said CPF President Brian Rice. “We’re all members of the fire family, and together we can help prevent suicide in the fire service.”

Stations throughout the state held tabletop discussions on specific areas including:

The connection between the stress of the job and post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI);

  • Personal experiences with post-traumatic stress;

  • Understanding that, for firefighters, post-traumatic stress is an injury, like a broken bone;

  • How to approach someone you think may need help;

  • How to seek help yourself.

As part of the stand down, CPF created informational toolkits to help facilitate the discussion both in the firehouse and more broadly among their members. May’s CPF Fire Wire podcast featured a conversation between President Rice and Oxnard Chief Alex Hamilton, who has created innovative peer-to-peer training in suicide awareness and prevention.

“Someone who is thinking about suicide is stuck in this tension between reasons to live, and reasons to die,” said Hamilton. “The reason to live hasn’t been disappeared – it’s just been lost. It’s a matter of taking the time to help that individual find the reasons to live again.”

Agencies and fire stations that didn’t participate in the May 22-26 Stand Down can still utilize the materials created to conduct their own internal training and awareness. Go to HealingOurOwn.org/resources to find materials, social media graphics and other awareness tools.

“Mental health is medical health,” said President Rice. “You spend so much time helping people, you have to make sure you spend time helping yourself. Together, we can bring down the growing number of suicides in our profession and create a stronger, more resilient fire service.”

If you have had thoughts of suicide or feel you need immediate help, please call the National Suicide Hotline – the three-digit number is 988