NVFC Awarded FP&S Grant to Support Emergency Responder Behavioral Health
August 13, 2024
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has been awarded an FY 2023 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grant by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to further its firefighter health and safety initiatives and reduce line-of-duty injuries and deaths. The grant initiatives will focus specifically on emergency responder behavioral health.
FP&S grants are part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program and support projects that enhance the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and related hazards. Thanks to funding from previous FP&S grants, the NVFC has been able to implement groundbreaking programs, including the Share the Load behavioral health support program and Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program, as well as release critical resources and training relating to cancer prevention, vehicle safety, culture change, injury prevention, and more.
Firefighting is one of the most physically and mentally demanding activities a person can do. Emergency responders see traumatic events on a regular basis, putting them at risk for many behavioral health challenges, including acute and post-traumatic stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, addiction, suicidal thoughts, and more. The NVFC works to facilitate culture change, reduce stigma, and offer support relating to the mental wellbeing of firefighters, EMS providers, rescue workers, and their families.
With the new two-year grant, the NVFC will expand on its Psychologically Healthy Fire Departments (PHFD) initiative, which includes the following resources:
- The Directory of Behavioral Health Professionals, a searchable, online directory of over 280 vetted providers ready and equipped to help responders and their families with any behavioral or mental health issues.
- PHFD: Implementation Toolkit, which assists department leaders in fostering a culture of wellbeing among their members with a focus on six key categories.
- Creating a Psychologically Healthy Fire Department training course, which is available online and in-person to empower leadership to promote and support a healthy, high-performing workforce.
- PHFD Commitment, where departments can commit to supporting the wellbeing of their members and be added to a special recognition webpage.
Additionally, the new grant will enable the NVFC to develop a train-the-trainer event on how to build the resiliency of volunteer first responders to ensure they are equipped to handle and respond to trauma. Each attendee of the event will then teach the curriculum at trainings across the nation. The NVFC will also develop new resources and training for family members of responders to help them better understand and recognize the signs and symptoms of someone struggling and how to reduce the stigma of seeking assistance.
“We are grateful to FEMA for providing this grant to the NVFC so we can continue our critical work in the area of responder behavioral health,” said NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch. “The health and safety of responders are top priorities for the NVFC. This grant will allow us to provide assistance and support to firefighters, EMS providers, rescue workers, and their families so they can be at their best and have a healthy and successful volunteer career.”
Learn more about the NVFC’s behavioral health initiatives, including the PHFD initiative, at www.nvfc.org/help.
About the NVFC
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides critical resources, programs, education, and advocacy for first responders across the nation. Learn more at www.nvfc.org.
