Wildland firefighting is a physically and mentally demanding job, with many stressors that can take their toll on a wildland firefighter’s mental health.
The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) has just released a new module on Wildland Fire Mental Health. The new module is available as an option within the NWCG’s RT-130: Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR), which is required training for all personnel assigned to positions with fireline duties, and for any position assigned to the fireline for non-suppression tasks, in order to maintain currency. Instructors of RT-130 may opt to include this new module on mental health in annual refresher training to address this important topic with their wildland firefighting personnel.
The new Wildland Fire Mental Health module provides tools and resources for “mental fitness.” Participants will learn about how to build resilience to face adversity, improve mental preparedness, recognize the importance of self-care, and recognize the effects from cumulative stress, critical incident stress, and other mental health related issues, including suicide. The guidance within the module emphasizes the importance of asking for help and offers information about accessing mental health care resources. Read More…
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