A tale of two women mentors: The importance of boundaries and accountability in fire service leadership
Kristen Wheldon, President of the Fire Service Psychology Association (FSPA), reflects on the lessons learned from two female mentors and how they shaped her leadership style in challenging settings Finding a mentor in the workplace can have profound impact on your professional development. Having worked in multiple settings including jail, prison, fire service, etc, I’ve […]
From trauma to triumph: Dr. Kristen Wheldon emphasizes the role of psychology in modern firefighting
By Dr Kristen Wheldon, President and Founder of the Fire Service Psychology Association (FSPA) The fire and safety industry is facing significant challenges and opportunities as it approaches 2025. Evolving threats, technological advancements, and a stronger focus on mental health demand a strategic approach integrating fire service psychology to improve risk mitigation, enhance behavioral health, […]
Mental health treatment settings: Firehouse or neutral style?
Dr Kristen Wheldon, President and Founder of the Fire Service Psychology Association, discusses how firehouse-like settings impact PTSD recovery for firefighters and the importance of neutral therapeutic environments While each person needs to find what treatment settings best suit their individual needs, there are some basic concepts we should consider when finding the ideal resource. […]
What is the Fire Service Psychology Association Conference?
Robert Avsec, retired Battalion Chief, discusses the Fire Service Psychology Association‘s conference, focusing on firefighter behavioral health and collaboration between psychology and fire services A seminal moment for the fire service happened in 2018 when 60 law enforcement psychologists and fire service leaders gathered for the Bridging the Gap conference in Los Angeles sponsored by […]
Preventing firefighter fatalities within a complex operational environment
Dr. Kristen Wheldon, President of the Fire Service Psychology Association, highlights the critical role of human factors in understanding and preventing firefighter fatalities within a complex operational environment The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is seeking public feedback on its Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (FFFIPP), particularly regarding the inclusion […]
How fire service professionals can lend their support to the Fire Service Psychology Association
Join the advocacy for fire service psychology The Fire Service Psychology Association (FSPA), which provides specialized psychological services tailored to the unique challenges faced by fire service professionals, is calling on all fire service professionals, retirees, and supporters to fill out a letter of support for fire service psychology. These letters are intended to raise […]
Safeguarding firefighter and EMS mental health
Kristen Wheldon, President and Founder of the Fire Service Psychology Association explains the importance of comprehensive mental health support in fire services Over the past ten years, the fire service community has taken significant steps towards addressing the mental health needs of their firefighters and EMS providers. Notably, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation has recognized […]
Fire Service Psychology: The Long Lost Sister
Dr. Kristen Wheldon, President and Founder of the Fire Service Psychology Association, talks systems, stakeholders, and firefighter mental health The integration of psychological principles within fire service operations represents a substantial yet often overlooked aspect of ensuring the safety and efficacy of first responders. The absence of a dedicated regulatory authority in the U.S. Fire […]
Firefighter Fortitude: The need for fire service psychology
Kristen Wheldon, President & Founder, Fire Service Psychology Association, talks developing science-based solutions for behavioral health Over the last few years, many behavioral health programs have been developed to service firefighters nationwide. These programs are often focused on clinical intervention (tertiary prevention), which involves providing care to an individual who is sick. A proactive approach […]
