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Health & Safety Resources

Safety Stand Down 2020

Building a Superhighway to Safety – Protecting our Responders on Roadways

Photo courtesy of Emergency Responder Safety Institute

Taking place each year during the third week of June, Safety Stand Down highlights critical safety, health, and survival issues for the fire and emergency services. Departments and personnel are asked to suspend all non-emergency activities during the week to focus their attention on safety and health education and training. A week is provided to ensure all duty shifts can participate.

The 2020 Safety Stand Down takes place June 14-20. This year’s theme calls attention to the hazards that responders face while performing their duties on roadways. Operating in roadways continues to be some of the most treacherous incident scenes we respond to. This important initiative encourages everyone to refresh their techniques and learn new skills based on research and nationally recognized best practices. Use the resources and training on this site to participate in this year’s Safety Stand Down.

For more info, click here.

Cancer Prevention Resources

Lavender Ribbon Report: Best Practices for Preventing Firefighter Cancer Released

The International Association of Fire Chiefs' (IAFC) Volunteer and Combination Officers Section (VCOS) and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) have partnered to develop and release the Lavender Ribbon Report: Best Practices for Preventing Firefighter Cancer. This report provides 11 actions that can be taken to mitigate the risk of cancer for firefighters. Unfortunately, the topic of firefighter cancer has had a significantly increasing impact on firefighter health and welfare. Great strides have been made by departments and responders everywhere in combating and preventing cancer, but more still needs to be done. The time is NOW to make changes. "We call upon fire service leaders and all personnel to make cancer prevention a priority in your department," said Chief James Seavey, Sr. board member of the IAFC VCOS, chair of the VCOS Cancer committee, and cancer survivor.

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE CHIEFS

Behavioral Health Resources

Firefighter Life Safety Initiative 13 – Mental Health

Your Guide to Healthy Sleep

Depression Section

Emotional Health Center

Suicide in the Fire and Emergency Services: Adopting a Proactive Approach to Behavioral Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention