The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has been awarded a 2023 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The grant aims to bolster the NVFC’s ongoing efforts to enhance firefighter health and safety, specifically targeting the behavioral health of emergency responders.
This grant is part of FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, which supports initiatives that improve the safety of the public and firefighters.
The new grant will enable the NVFC to expand its existing behavioral health programs and develop new resources.
This includes enhancing the Psychologically Healthy Fire Departments (PHFD) initiative, which provides vital tools and training to support the mental wellbeing of firefighters, EMS providers, rescue workers, and their families.
The NVFC will use the two-year grant to further its Psychologically Healthy Fire Departments initiative, which includes a variety of resources.
Among these are the Directory of Behavioral Health Professionals, a vetted list of providers available to assist responders and their families, and the PHFD: Implementation Toolkit, designed to help department leaders promote a culture of mental wellbeing.
Additionally, the grant will support the creation of a train-the-trainer event.
This event will focus on building the resiliency of volunteer first responders, enabling attendees to teach the curriculum nationwide.
These efforts aim to equip emergency personnel with the tools they need to manage and respond to trauma effectively.
The NVFC will also develop new training and resources specifically for the families of responders.
These materials will focus on helping families recognize signs and symptoms of behavioral health challenges and reduce the stigma around seeking help.
The organization believes that family support is crucial in ensuring the long-term mental health and wellbeing of emergency responders.
By addressing the needs of both responders and their families, the NVFC aims to create a more comprehensive support system that promotes mental health and reduces the impact of trauma on those who serve their communities.
NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch emphasized the importance of this grant in continuing the organization’s work in responder behavioral health.
Hirsch stated: “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.”
The NVFC remains committed to ensuring that responders and their families have access to the support they need for a healthy and successful volunteer career.
The grant will allow the NVFC to continue expanding its resources and support, aiming to foster a culture of mental wellbeing within fire and emergency services across the United States.
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has received a 2023 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grant from FEMA.
This funding will support the NVFC’s initiatives to improve behavioral health resources for emergency responders, particularly through the Psychologically Healthy Fire Departments (PHFD) initiative.
The grant will allow for the expansion of existing programs and the development of new training and resources, including a focus on building responder resilience and providing support to their families.
The NVFC remains dedicated to promoting the mental health and wellbeing of firefighters, EMS providers, and rescue workers across the nation.
