Photo by Steve Baer | FireDog Photos
Firefighting is a tough gig, no question about it! The stress, the trauma, the relentless calls – it all adds up. But here’s the hard truth: while we’ve spent years talking about PTSD and the impact of critical incidents, we don’t speak enough about the stress that comes from within the department itself.
Chief David Rhodes addressed this head-on in his keynote at FDIC International in 2023, emphasizing that a major factor in firefighter mental health isn’t just the emergencies, it’s leadership or the lack thereof. And this doesn’t just apply to chiefs. It extends to every company officer, mentor, training buddy, and firefighter in the hall.
Chief Rhodes called out the reality that issues like favoritism, exclusion, discrimination, and toxic leadership are massive contributors to workplace stress. We can’t afford to keep pretending that the only burden firefighters carry is the one from their calls. Ignoring the internal struggles in the fire station means we’re leaving a huge part of the problem unresolved.
Building Trust and Support
Leadership isn’t about rank; it’s about responsibility. It’s not just about being in charge, it’s about building trust, fostering safety, and ensuring every firefighter knows they have support. Yet, fire departments often find themselves bogged down by micromanagement, office politics, and leaders who are more concerned about covering their asses than protecting their crews. This kind of culture breeds burnout like a fast-moving wildfire.
Experts like Matt Johnston from First Responder Health, and Brandon Currie, chair of the BCPFFA Mental Health Committee, have echoed these concerns: organizational stress often outweighs the stress from responding to emergencies. When firefighters face a lack of support, bullying, exclusion, and harassment, it creates an environment of isolation and exhaustion. It’s no wonder so many feel disconnected and unappreciated.
The Importance of Connection
We know that strong relationships and a sense of belonging are key protective factors against stress. Brené Brown’s work in Dare to Leadhighlights a profound truth: in high-stress environments, people aren’t just exhausted from the workload, they’re exhausted from isolation. That’s a critical wake-up call. If we want to strengthen firefighter mental health, we have to start by strengthening the connections within our teams.
Psychological safety is the ability to speak up, take risks, and admit mistakes without fear of punishment. It’s not about making everyone comfortable all the time, it’s about creating an environment where firefighters feel valued and heard. Without psychological safety, fire departments become places where people keep their heads down, afraid to voice concerns. That’s a major problem. If a firefighter doesn’t feel safe at the station, how can they be expected to perform at their best on calls?
The Detrimental Effects of a Culture of Fear
A culture of fear stifles growth, learning, and ultimately, team cohesion. Author and speaker Simon Sinek said it best: workplace stress isn’t usually about the job itself – it’s about bad leadership. Leaders who care more about statistics than their people create environments where stress skyrockets and morale crumbles.
The best leaders don’t just lead, they listen. They create cultures of trust, making their firefighters feel valued, respected, and part of a family. Small gestures, active listening, humor, and words of appreciation go a long way in building that connection. And here’s the kicker: the strongest leaders aren’t the ones with all the answers. They’re the ones who are humble enough to ask questions, remain curious, and genuinely learn from those around them.
In Episode 10 of the In It Together podcast, I explored these concepts in depth with Dr. Jason Price, an independent specialist in workplace culture, bullying, and complaint management. We discussed the dangers of the fire service’s “inner circle” mentality and how leaders can foster psychological safety within their crews. Leadership, at its core, isn’t about rank, it’s about showing up for your people, setting clear expectations, and leading with a servant mindset.
The Impact of True Support
Our experience with the BC Firefighter Resiliency Program, in collaboration with the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association and Blueprint, has shown just how powerful true support can be. One of the most profound lessons we’ve learned: Just be a good human.
Firefighters don’t need more friends at work; they need leaders who lead. And that doesn’t mean being the loudest or the toughest, it means being the most supportive. We have to move away from the old-school “suck it up” mentality and build fire departments where firefighters feel safe, valued, and connected.
Fixing firefighter mental health isn’t just about addressing what happens on calls, it’s about fixing what happens inside the fire station. Leadership matters. Culture matters. And when we get those things right, our firefighters, their families, and our communities all benefit.
So, here’s the challenge: check your ego at the door and just be a good human. Leadership isn’t about power, it’s about service. Be humble, stay curious, and remember that your job isn’t to have all the answers; it’s to build a team that trusts and supports each other. That’s how we make the fire service, and each other, stronger.
Looking to help as a leader? Check out these resources from the BC First Responder Mental Health website.
