Behavioral Health Subcommittee Recommendations See a print-only version of the report here.
Background:
The Behavioral Health Subcommittee was convened in January 2023 to make
recommendations to the Governor’s Fire Service Policy Council regarding “actionable
strategies to reduce the risk of and mitigate behavioral health issues on the fire service and
its stakeholders.” It is widely known and substantiated that fire service personnel are
experiencing behavioral health challenges and acute crises at higher rates than the general
public. The causes of this high rate are multi-faceted and interlaced with many factors that
comprise the work environment of fire service personnel.
The subcommittee was charged with:
- Assessing the problem from an individual and system perspective,
- Determining the capabilities of existing programs,
- Measuring the impact of those existing programs, and
- Developing recommendations to mitigate and reduce the risk of behavioral health
challenges.
The subcommittee solicited input from subject matter experts, surveyed fire agencies across
the state, performed listening sessions with a wide array of front-line fire service
stakeholders, and researched industry-wide best practices. In completing its charge and
preparing to make recommendations, the subcommittee developed three products related
to firefighter behavioral health: a statewide survey, a structural needs assessment, and a
training plan for firefighters and affiliated individuals.
Discussion:
The subcommittee members appreciated the opportunity to represent their stakeholders
and share their experiences and expertise in firefighter health and well-being. This discussion
highlights the challenges and needs of the Oregon fire service. However, the subcommittee
would like to acknowledge the contributions of individuals and organizations within the state
to care for our firefighters. Having the opportunity to conduct this work on behalf of the
Governor’s Fire Service Policy Council is a testament to the awareness of behavioral health
issues raised by our leaders, associations, fire agencies, state departments, and insurers over
the years. The subcommittee recognizes its genesis was a culmination of the efforts of those
who served before and continue to serve. The results of the subcommittee’s activities point
to the substantial need for increased investment in firefighter behavioral health. The
subcommittee found that agencies throughout the state have a wide range of programs, from nonexistent to very robust. The extent of these programs is frequently correlated to an
agency's size, type, location, and the availability of internal and external resources to the
agency. The subcommittee combined new information and their long-term work in reviewing
local, regional, statewide, and national efforts. These efforts each have strengths and could
help support an agency or individual. However, these are rarely coordinated meaningfully
and, since they are often informational resources, underutilized as fire agencies lack a
system and the support to implement them. Individuals expressed frustration and
experienced stasis due to the abundance of uncoordinated resources available and not
having assistance or direction on where to start. Agencies also identified internal capacity
and lack of funding as primary reasons for having limited or no behavioral health programs.
After an in-depth review and discussion of these and other challenges facing the Oregon fire
service, the subcommittee recognized that agencies need assistance and that a state-level
organizational structure could serve as a clearinghouse for information, coordination, and
resource allocation to support this work.
Within their review of literature and resources and hearing from individuals and agencies,
the subcommittee found that behavioral health in the fire service cannot be addressed
successfully as a standalone problem. Behavioral health is dependent upon and impacts the
whole firefighter. Work environment, medical and physical fitness, social/familial dynamics,
daily and on-scene decision-making, and other factors can exacerbate or improve a
firefighter’s behavioral health as much as one’s behavioral health influences how they
approach those same factors. The consensus of the subcommittee is that fire service
members require a holistic approach to health, wellness, and safety to address behavioral
health challenges and improve and sustain a solid behavioral health state.
After considering the exhaustive research and discussion, the subcommittee concluded that
creating a statewide structure for collaboration is how we can successfully address the health
and wellness of Oregon fire service personnel. This structure must address four primary
issues facing health, wellness, and safety in the fire service:
- Behavioral health
- Physical health and fitness
- Cancer risk reduction
- Incident safety
Recommendations:
For over a decade, individuals and organizations across Oregon have demonstrated
initiative, great effort, and leadership in caring for our firefighters. With this demonstrated
energy over such a sustained period, the subcommittee is confident that a well-resourced
collaborative, which aligns efforts and supports local agencies/associations, will effectively
improve firefighter health, wellness, and safety across the state. Therefore, the Firefighter
Behavioral Health Subcommittee recommends that:
- The Oregon State Fire Marshal establish an Oregon Fire Service Health and Safety
Collaborative and provide support, such as staff to engage and involve fire service
stakeholders in improving all aspects of firefighter health, safety, and well-being. This
collaborative should consist of the OSFM, DPSST, OFMA, OFDDA, OVFA, OSFFC, OFCA,
SDAO, CIS, and SMEs and create a statewide, regionalized network to include and
serve all Oregon fire agencies;
- The State of Oregon provides dedicated funding and resources to support firefighter
health, wellness, and safety efforts;
- OSFM and DPSST develop and distribute related training curricula and support
services to the collaborative and Oregon fire agencies; and
- The collaborative report quarterly to the Governor’s Fire Service Policy Council and,
as appropriate, provide additional recommendations to improve firefighter health,
wellness, and safety.
This report was prepared by the Oregon State Fire Marshal and endorsed by the Governor's Fire Service Policy Council.