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Frantz Fanon, Burnout, and the Firehouse: Why Leaders Cannot Ignore the Systems That Shape Their People
Operations Chief at Fire Service Psychology Association Note: I recently read a post on LinkedIn from, Abi Adamson “The Culture…
Jim Page and Johnny Gage: Two Legends, One Lasting Legacy
The recent passing of Randolph Mantooth, the actor who brought firefighter-paramedic Johnny Gage to life on the groundbreaking television series Emergency!, has caused many of us…
Rethinking the “New Normal” in Fire Protection
Pick up almost any fire service trade journal or visit most industry websites and you’ll hear a familiar refrain: leaders in the U.S. fire service are…
Healing Through Harmony: First Responder Institute Unveils Revolutionary ‘Medicine Song’ Course Amid Psychedelic Renaissance
Sponsored Content: First Responder Behavioral Health Institute The First Responder Behavioral Health Institute (FRBHI) is breaking new ground with its transformative course, Medicine Song: Spiritual Healing…
Firefighter Camps for Girls in 2026
This post originally appeared back in 2020, so I know that it likely needs updating. If your firefighter camp for girls is listed, please make sure…
After the Call: It’s Not Business as Usual
By: Margaret Gavian, Ph. D, Guest Blogger Lately, I’ve been notified of an onslaught of critical calls happening across the departments I serve – multiple suicides,…
Who will be the FSPA Fire Service Leader of the Year for 2025?
Do you know of a fire service leader–They can be of any rank– who’s working in their fire department or region to promote mental and behavioral…
Men in the fire service: It’s time to step up!
By: William Hux, Chief Fire Marshal, Va. State Fire Marshals Office, Va. Fire Marshal Academy Now that FDIC 2025 has ended and 37,000 fire service members…
Time to “think outside the box” to develop a standard for psychological services for fire departments
A fire service colleague, J. Gordon Routley, posted this comment in a discussion thread on LinkedIn about developing a standard for psychological services for fire and…
Retiring From the Firehouse: A Guide to Preparing for Life After Active Duty
On my first day as a new firefighter graduate of Chesterfield Fire Department’s Recruit School #12—now the Chesterfield Fire and EMS Department—I reported to Fire Station…
The First Responder Behavioral Health Institute Leads the Way in Addressing the Mental Health Crisis Among First Responders
The First Responder Behavioral Health Institute (FRBHI) is a pioneering organization dedicated to addressing the mental health needs of first responders. Established in 2022 by Joseph Brigandi, a retired fire captain/paramedic who became a licensed professional counselor and psychotherapistat the Counseling Center of Texas, FRBHI aims to provide education, training, and support to ensure the psychological well-being of first responders, be they law enforcement officers, firefighters, or EMS personnel. Today, Brigandi serves as the Clinical Program Director for FRBHI.
The fire service can change but will it regarding post-traumatic stress?
From the battlefields of ancient Greece to modern war zones and fire grounds, society has been on an evolving journey, attempting to grasp the true nature of psychological wounds.