BC Fire Fighter
Occupational Awareness Training©
Designed for Fire Fighters
Designed for Fire Fighters
Program Overview
Fire Fighter Occupational Awareness Training is a 12-module program designed to enhance frontline knowledge of mental health injuries and reduce the emotional and behavioural impact of a career in public safety.
The curriculum combines the lived experience of those serving on the frontline with recognized subject matter experts in the field of public safety mental health. After viewing each module, crews will participate in a structured group-based discussion that is designed to:
Reinforce key learning objectives
Normalize common psychological stress injuries
Contribute to the collective resilience of each fire fighter
By the end of year 1, course participants will be provided a toolkit of “self- rescue” strategies and a clear pathway to accessing occupationally aware healthcare resources in British Columbia.
Collaboration
This initiative was only made possible through a broad collaboration across a variety of stakeholders who share the common goal of enhancing the emotional and behavioural health of those who keep our communities safe.
Special thanks to WorkSafeBC for supporting year 1 of this project.
Program Roll-Out
Beginning in April 2023, all BC fire fighters – full-time, paid on-call, volunteer, fire administrators and dispatchers will gain free access to this peer-reviewed, evidence-informed program that is delivered via a digital education platform. Learners will be given access to progressive modules that builds on overarching themes related to positive psychology and the achievement of optimal performance in and beyond the fire service. For the best learner outcomes, crews will complete each module in- station and on-duty with access to a downloadable workbook that serves to facilitate group discussions.
