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2021 Update to Yellow Ribbon Report on Firefighter Behavioral Health and Wellness Is Now Available

Document is focused on educating all ranks of the fire and emergency services about risk factors that can lead to declining mental wellness.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs’ Volunteer and Combination Officers Section has released the 2021 Yellow Ribbon Report Update: Best Practices in Behavioral Wellness for Emergency Responders.

The new document supplements the original (released in 2017) and is focused on educating all ranks of the fire and emergency services about risk factors that can lead to declining mental wellness, such as:

  • Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD).
  • Compassion fatigue.
  • Acute stress disorder.
  • Gaslighting.
  • Toxic work environments.
  • Learned helplessness.

According to the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance, more firefighters die from suicide each year than in the line of duty, and many suicides are likely unreported. This resource offers solutions and recommendations that can directly help firefighters and responders, including 7 approaches/tools referred to as lifesaving “antidotes” to measure and reduce stressors:

  • Resilience.
  • Emotional intelligence.
  • Positive intelligence.
  • Relationship strengthening.
  • Post-traumatic growth.
  • Tools to measure and reduce stressors.
  • Emotional tactical worksheet.

Each antidote in the report is supported by additional resources.

Also included in the report is a new set of 11 best practices to help normalize the mental health impacts of fire and emergency service vocations that department leaders can use to encourage a culture supporting mental wellness, establish impactful behavioral health programs and more. The “how-to” approach of the best practices is supplemented by implementation tips and a summary of survey results on what agencies have been doing to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their personnel’s behavioral wellness.

All fire departments and other responder agencies are encouraged to share this report with departmental leadership, including peer support team, chaplain and employee assistance program.

Read more at U.S. Fire Administration

2021 Update to Yellow Ribbon Report on Firefighter Behavioral Health and Wellness Is Now Available Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Today
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.
Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Todayhttp://www.hstoday.us
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.

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