Lakeland Fire Department recently hosted a two-day Clinician Awareness Program (CAP) created by the Florida Firefighters Safety and Health Collaborative (FFSHC). The program aims to educate behavioral health clinicians on the specific needs of first responders, including firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics.
Clinical Coordinator of FFSHC and Director of UCF RESTORES-Trauma Therapy Program, Dr. Deborah C. Beidel, provided clinicians with valuable insight into the challenges firefighters and their families face- breaking down the concept of trauma, how the strenuous duties of firefighting can alter the physical, physiological, and neurological systems of the men and women in our profession, and how these changes can impact physical and emotional behavior. Clinicians also learned about promoting mental wellness and building resilience by collaborating with the fire service during critical incidents.
During the program’s second day, clinicians had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the fire service by visiting our downtown Fire Station 1 to see firsthand how firefighters live and spend a significant portion of their lives with their crews. Lastly, wrapping it all up, they headed out in full bunker gear to get hands-on to complete a RIT scenario, forcible entry, hose management, and observe a live fire demo at our LFD Training Center.
LFD is thankful for everyone’s involvement in this effort, including the clinicians who joined us to learn about our world and improve care for firefighters.