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 the Fire Service Psychology Association (FPSA).
That conference was the first, and still the only in 2024, that focuses solely on how two different disciplines – psychology and the fire service – can work together to better serve firefighters with their mental health challenges and to improve overall firefighter behavioral health.
Dr. Kristen Wheldon, Psy.D is a psychologist in South Pasadena, California who specializes in working with firefighters and their families.
After working as a psychologist in the California Correctional System for several years, she moved to the Los Angeles Fire Department where she served as a Fire Psychologist and Director of Behavioral Health.
In that job, she quickly learned that she was one of an exceedingly small collective of psychologists who were working in the fire service space.
That realization led her to found FSPA in 2017 to “bridge the gap between professional psychology and the fire service.” FSPA is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization recognized by the IRS.
FSPA is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.
Said Wheldon, who has worked with firefighters in her private psychology practice, “Firefighters are different from police officers. They have a unique culture, job duties, and dynamic experiences.
“They need a mental health clinician who understands them. They deserve access to specialized services.”
Fast forward to 2024 when FSPA will be holding its 7th Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., October 3-4, 2024.
That conference, co-hosted by the DC Fire and EMS Department and the DC Fire and EMS Foundation, will once again bring fire service leaders, psychologists, and masters-level clinicians together to learn more about what it takes to keep building that bridge and to network with others who are providing mental and behavioral health services to firefighters, their families, and their fire departments.
“One of the most gratifying parts of our previous six conferences—two of which we conducted online because of the COVID-19 pandemic—is hearing those mental health professionals in attendance talking about how good it is to meet other people doing the same job they are doing,” Wheldon said.
The annual FSPA conference is a key element in FSPA’s pursuit of its goal to Create the specialty of fire service psychology, one that’s recognized by APA.
Such a field does not exist, though psychology for the fields of law enforcement and the U.S.
military services have had such APA recognition for many years.
This year’s conference will feature presentations from ten presenters who will share information and their experiences working within one of the five domains of psychology: assessments, intervention, industrial/organizational, operations, and consultation.
Dr. Burton Clark was present at the 2018 conference and spoke about the fire service culture to give attendees a sense of what a firefighter’s DNA contains in his presentation, American Fire Service Culture from a Firefighter’s Perspective.
Dr. Clark has been studying fire service culture over his entire fire service career which spans almost 50 years, and his first book is entitled, I Can’t Save Your Life And I Don’t Want to Die Trying: The American Fire Culture.
Clark said in a LinkedIn post before the 2018 conference: “Making history tomorrow! I was at the first Congressional Fire Caucus Dinner and the first EFO [Executive Fire Officer] Graduate Symposium in the 20th century.
Bridging the Gap may be the most important conference to first address the American fire culture in the 21st century.” (Rumor has it that Dr. Clark was also present when Moses brought the tablets down from the mountain).
Dr. Clark will once again be at the podium for this year’s conference delivering a presentation, Human Factors applied to firefighter traumatic occupational death on the fire ground, needed tools.
The FSPA conference begins on October 3rd with Robert Avsec, retired Battalion Chief, introducing DC Fire & EMS Chief John Donnelly, followed by opening remarks.
The keynote address is delivered by Dr. Jennifer O’Leary Tait, chair of APA’s Division 18 Police and Public Safety section.
The morning continues with the FSPA Awards.
The first session, led by Swee Giang Khoo, focuses on enhancing mental health literacy among emergency responders through e-learning.
Dr. Ryan Roberts follows with a discussion on preemployment psychological evaluations of firefighter candidates, with a focus on adapting the California POST screening dimensions.
After lunch, Dr. Gina Dunckel explores the integration of peer and clinical support to develop mental health programs within fire services.
Alison Fienning presents her work on preventing suicide through routine mental health check-ups.
Dr. Deborah Beidel then discusses innovative PTSD treatments tailored for the fire service.
The day concludes with the FSPA membership meeting.
On October 4th, Robert Avsec provides opening remarks, followed by Deputy Chief Shawn Downs, who shares insights into the behavioral health program of DC Fire & EMS.
Dr. Lew Schlosser continues with a session on psychological fitness for duty evaluations in the fire service.
Dr. Megan McElheran and Dr. Kelly Schwartz present their findings on operational stress and its effects on first responders and their families, based on evidence from psychoeducation and support programs.
Later, Gustė Gramaglia examines the relationship between firefighter personality traits, leadership styles, work motivation, and general well-being.
After lunch, Dr. Mellena Nichols and Captain Ben Neff deliver a presentation on fatigue management for emergency responders.
Dr. Burton Clark wraps up the educational sessions with a discussion on human factors in firefighter fatalities and the tools needed to address occupational death on the fire ground.
The conference closes with a brief session to announce the location of next year’s event.
Throughout the conference, prominent speakers such as Chief John Donnelly, Dr. Jennifer O’Leary Tait, Dr. Deborah Beidel and others share their expertise in fire service leadership, mental health, and safety, offering a comprehensive overview of the latest research and programs aimed at improving the well-being and performance of fire service professionals.
Yes you! For more information on how you can join and contribute to this “bi-partisan” effort to improve behavioral health services for members of the fire service, visit the FSPA website, www.firepsychology.org, or look up FSPA on Facebook @fireservicepsychologyassociation.
