Fire

While tragedy can befall anyone, what is frequently considered once-in-a-lifetime events for most, are routine occurrences for first responders. Repeated exposure forms “thick skin” but insufficiently protects against burnout, emotional exhaustion, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). First responders have a 10% increased risk of developing behavioral health conditions such as depression compared to the general […]

1 in 5 EMS providers experience PTSD symptoms, but researchers estimate it is more pervasive due to underreporting. A culture of toughness encourages sufferers to suppress emotions, deterring them from seeking help. Unfortunately, EMS preferred coping strategies like avoidance increases, instead of decreasing, traumatic stress symptoms. Untreated mental distress evolves into chronic behavioral health conditions […]

Emergency response can be physically demanding and requires a high level of fitness. When designing a nutrition program to support your fitness goals, effectively incorporating protein can be the difference between maxing out and burning out.

Learn about the latest research on factors that determine an individual’s optimum protein intake along with the best sources of protein, especially as it relates to the goals of firefighters and other emergency responders.

As a leader in an industry devoted to serving the public, it can be easy to neglect self-care. Here are 4 areas of health you should focus on to better care for yourself and those you serve.

If you ask any emergency medical provider, “What is the first thing you learned as an EMT?” I bet they would respond, “Scene safe, BSI.” We all learned quickly that if we become a victim ourselves, we cannot help the patient and other first responders. But how do we dive deeper into gaining situational awareness?

How is virtual training shaping the future of healthare education? Review the latest research and experience this cutting-edge training for yourself.

Emotional intelligence is crucial to your success as a leader. Learn about 4 specific skills that will help you keep your own and others’ emotions from hijacking situations.

People with average IQs outperform those with high IQs 70% of the time in the workplace. Why does this happen? Because of emotional intelligence.

Building awareness in your organization is a critical component of successful leadership. Learn how to avoid common leadership pitfalls when building a culture of awareness in your organization.

How do leaders demonstrate stewardship in their organization?  Here are 4 specific principles that will help you find greater success for yourself, your constituents, and your department.

How can you lower turnover rates in your department and the costly expenses that come with them? Here are 3 tips to make your department a place where firefighters will want to stay.

Take a look at the firefighter job growth forecast to see what life is like as a professional firefighter and how you can serve.

Learning the ropes as a probie firefighter requires fire training and learning your duties to ensure future job growth. Discover some tips that can help you improve your career.

Your firefighter training is designed to test you physically and mentally, but you can make it a positive experience. Here’s what you should know before attending a fire academy.

Imposter syndrome is a common struggle first responders face. Here’s what you need to know to recognize and overcome imposter syndrome and build confidence in your competence.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, private businesses, government agencies, and fire leaders are stepping in to offer firefighters the support that they need to succeed and stay safe. Explore free economic and training resources.

The HEROES Act could have many positive benefits for firefighters and their families as well as future firefighter job growth. Here are a few to note.

As leaders, we need to take the time to actively listen. This will help our constituents feel valued and facilitate healthy, successful department cultures.

Here are training resources and free CE hours to help EMS and fire departments simplify their life and access the life-saving training they need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here are 3 important tips for probies to make the most of their first months as fire professionals. Learn how you can succeed as a firefighter from day 1.

Here are some helpful ideas for pandemic protocols and training you may consider implementing in your fire department during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Here are a few simple meal hacks that even the busiest emergency and healthcare professional can use to improve their diet and overall health.

As the opioid epidemic grows and communities work together to find solutions, fire professionals are an essential part of the opioid crisis response. 

Here’s a quick guide of some of the grants, loans, and programs available for emergency agencies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eating healthy in the workplace can be challenging, especially for healthcare and emergency professionals. Here are some easy meal options to help you build a healthier, happier life.

As firefighters, we spend most, if not all, of our energy and focus on helping others. But are we taking time to focus on our own mental hygiene?

Hoarding increases the risk of home fires. Use these tips to educate firefighters on addressing hoarding problems in your community.

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the US. Following a cardio-protective diet is important for anyone and may be especially important if you’re a shift worker. Learn how you can decrease inflammation and increase heart health with these dietary strategies.

With increasing demands on departments, practices, providers, and personnel, the emergency and healthcare industries need training solutions that fit their specific needs. Because the truth is when an emergency hits, it’s difficult to respond if you are stuck in a classroom.

Interested in a transition to fire? Take a look at the current state of the firefighting job market and projections for its future growth.

Technologies are evolving, knowledge is expanding, best practices are changing, and calls are increasing faster than ever before. How can we best prepare ourselves and our teams for the critical situations we face day in and day out?

One of the most important tasks undertaken by a local fire department is educating community members on the importance of fire safety.  Use these three tips to better promote fire safety in your community. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) and a variety of other advanced technologies are changing and improving the way that firefighters respond to emergency situations. Let’s take a deeper look at a few of the emerging technologies that could help improve the way professionals fight fires and prepare for emergencies. 

Here are 5 essential tools that firefighters should consider carrying on their person to be prepared in any emergency situation.

Many shift workers use dietary supplements to boost energy during their shift and sleep better during the day. Learn more about supplements proven to help you perform at your best.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, only 4% of firefighters are women. Women may not be able to directly change these percentages but they can find success and influence the culture of the fire service by performing their jobs with confidence.

Just as technology is transforming the growth of medical knowledge, it’s also providing solutions to disseminate it in digestible ways. Virtual instructor-led training courses (VILT courses) have been revolutionizing the fire, medical, and EMS communities by providing training that is accessible, engaging, up to date, cost-effective, and, most importantly, improves outcomes.

EMS, fire, and law enforcement are all dispatched to a local interstate for a report of a tour bus explosion with no further information available. You arrive on scene where command has already been established and fire suppression is underway. You are directed to the role of EMS command and are directed to where the patients are on the side of the highway. All 54 passengers escaped the bus before flames engulfed it and are now located roadside. Some are walking and uninjured. Others have critical injuries. You instantly realize there are many more resources needed than what you have, and at the same time, you realize this is the largest incident of your career. This is “the one.” Can you handle it?

I’ve worked nights both as a CNA at a hospital as well as a military service member at tactical operations centers or guard posts. Currently, I’m a dietitian. While I don’t work nights anymore, there are some key dietary strategies I wish I would have known and implemented when I was a shift worker. 

Emergency personnel have a physically and emotionally demanding job. See how continuing your training and education online can help mitigate some effects of burnout.

Aside from helping you best protect against loss of life and property, continued training and education can benefit your department personally and professionally in several ways.