Lifestyle Resources |
SmokingSmoking increases the death rates for a variety of diseases, including lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema, bronchitis, and chronic airway obstruction. Simply stated, there is no safe way to smoke. Quitting smoking sharply lowers the risk of developing heart disease, even in the first year after quitting and no matter what a person's age. Quitting also reduces the risk for a second heart attack in those who have already experienced one.
Put It Out Campaign This campaign from the NVFC’s Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program offers resources and tools to help first responders quit smoking and stay quite. The web site also provides resources for departments, state fire associations, and family members to help first responders in the quitting process and foster an environment that supports no-smoking.
Learn How to Quit Smoking Learn why smoking is particularly bad for diabetics, why quitting is so difficult, and what steps to take after you’ve made the commitment to quit.
You Can Quit Smoking Now! Access the information you need on smoking cessation. Resources include an online guide to plan your quit, how to find expert help, resources you can use to spread the word to your department, and studies to back up the facts. StressTaking care of your mental health is as important as managing your physical health. The demands of first response activities place significant stress on first responders. Factors such as lack of sleep, time demands, and dealing with the crisis situations they have witnessed can increase this stress. First responders need to know how to manage the stress in their lives and and the department needs to provide a support system that helps their members deal with behavioral health issues such as stress. Create a culture within the department that makes behavioral health a priority and fosters positive behavioral health practices.
Behavioral Health Workshop This three-hour course empowers participants to be advocates for behavioral health and wellness within their department. Issues covered include recognizing the stressors of the job in yourself and others, resources available to first responders and families, and finding the plan that works for your department. Dates and locations of the workshop are announced on the Heart-Healthy Firefighter Calendar.
Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives/Mental Health Services Initiative 13 of the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation’s Life Safety Initiatives focuses on the mental wellbeing of firefighters and their families. This page contains links to research and resources regarding firefighter behavioral health issues.
Mental Health Topics for First Responders - Training Videos The Firefighters Support Foundation teamed up with Fire Engineering to offer a series of training videos for first responders. Mental health topics include: Helping First Responders, Their Colleagues, and Their Families Prepare For and Deal with a Line of Duty Death; When a Child Dies on a Call; and When to Seek Therapy. National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety NIOSH is the federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness. The Institute has released many resources for managing stress in the workplace, including: AlcoholHeavy alcohol consumption can increase the risk of many health problems, including high blood pressure, which in turn increases the risk of heart disease, congestive heart failure, and stroke. Other risks of too much alcohol consumption include liver cirrhosis, cancer, and kidney disease, injury, motor vehicle accidents, violence, and even death. It is important to know the dangers of alcohol abuse and the significant health benefits of drinking only in moderation.
Alcohol Awareness Month Toolkit April is Alcohol Awareness Month, but you can use the resources in this toolkit all year long to raise awareness of alcohol abuse and encourage department members to make healthy, safe choices. |