Tough Call Protocol and Resilient Responders Program

Problem Description

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, fire fighters and EMTs contemplate suicide at six times the rate of the average American. Compounding this problem, 82% of all US fire departments are rural, volunteer departments that have very limited resources for mental health services. This project aims to address the need for education surrounding occupational stress and compassion fatigue of first responders. Further, this program will have a community focus on how to assist others at risk of crisis. The Resilient Responder Program is a one-day, comprehensive wellness program for first responders which will equip first responders with the tools they need to work on their occupationally related stress, as well provide tools for assisting community members with mental health crises services, such as working with individuals at risk of suicide.

Description of the Programs

The Tough Call Protocol and Resilient Responder Program are comprehensive training initiatives designed to equip first responders with the knowledge, tools, and strategies necessary to navigate the challenges of their demanding profession while prioritizing their mental health and overall well-being. These programs address key learning objectives aimed at fostering resilience, preventing burnout, and promoting a supportive community within the first responder community. Additionally, the program will provide training on

1. Definition and Recognition: Participants will gain a solid understanding of burnout, secondary trauma, and compassion fatigue, distinguishing between these concepts and recognizing their potential impact on first responders.
2. Signs and Symptoms: Attendees will learn to identify the signs and symptoms of burnout, vicarious trauma, and compassion fatigue in themselves and their peers, fostering a culture of early intervention and support.
3. Barriers to Wellness: Explore and discuss the barriers that first responders may face when engaging in wellness and resiliency practices, with an emphasis on overcoming these obstacles to prioritize mental health.
4. Tough Call Protocol: Understand and implement the Tough Call Protocol, a systematic approach to processing and coping with challenging and emotionally taxing situations encountered in the line of duty.
5. Resilient Responder Model: Participants will delve into the key elements of The Resilient Responder Model, which includes Creating Community, Purposeful Living, and Restoration of the Mind and Body, providing a holistic framework for sustaining resilience.
6. Preventative Steps: Gain insight into preventative steps that enhance first responder well-being, emphasizing proactive measures to mitigate the impact of stressors and challenges inherent in the profession.
7. Mental Health Activities: Explore and practice a variety of activities designed to enhance the mental health of first responders, including mindfulness exercises, stress management techniques, and communication strategies.
8. Template for Well-Being: Review a practical template for first responder well-being and self-care, providing a customizable tool for individuals to develop and maintain a personalized well-being plan.
9. Safer-R Training: Responding to the community focus. Provides a model of individual crisis intervention to be utilized to address the immediate biopsychosocial needs of the person receiving interventions and is designed for community engagement. This includes a) stabilization; b) acknowledge the crisis; c) Facilitate understanding; d) encourage coping; and e) Recovery or referral
10. QPR Training: Responding to the community focus. QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer and is designed to reduce the immediate risk of suicide.

These programs are tailored to empower first responders with the knowledge and skills needed to not only survive but thrive in their challenging roles, while additionally utilize their training to recognize and respond to needs in their community. By addressing these learning objectives, participants will be better equipped to build resilience, foster a supportive community, and prioritize their mental health, ultimately enhancing the overall well-being of first responders as well as provide support for community mental health initiatives.

The trainers will provide training in the home community of the first responders. The training is one day in length, with the option to meet with leaders from fire and EMS the evening before. This training is free of charge to participants and is sponsored in conjunction with the Center for Rural Behavioral Health, and will include breakfast and lunch for all participants.

For more information contact Tracie Rutherford Self at tracie.self@mnsu.edu or by phone at 507-389-5239.