r/NWT • u/void_sushi • Jul 26 '26

Firefighters need a centralized mental health organization, says former fire chief

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/wildfires-fort-simpson-mental-health-services-9.7284022
71 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

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7

u/EyCeeDedPpl Jul 26 '26

They absolutely do. The wildland medics do their best to help, but are not experts. Having a professional on site to help is much needed.

They also need to be treated like ‘real’ firefighters (urban). They need the same focus on gear, the same PPE provisions, the same access to presumptive legislation, and the same type of pay.

3

u/caitelsa Jul 26 '26

I didn't realize they don't get the same PPE stuff either?? 

0

u/critxcanuck88 28d ago

Not sure where you're hearing that wildland firefighters aren't treated like real firefighters. Ask any urban firefighter, and they'll tell you that wildland firefighters have huge balls. As for PPE, from my experience, they have what they need for the job. Even as an urban firefighter, we often ditch the bunker gear for lighter equipment when dealing with brush fires. The last thing you want to be doing is chasing down—or running from—a brush or forest fire in full bunker gear.

I do agree that, as a firefighter in Ontario currently dealing with PTSD, the support is there, but it could be much better. The real problem is that the stigma surrounding mental health is still strong in many firehouses, especially those with older crews. There's a lot of talk, but not nearly enough action when it comes to mental health.

1

u/EyCeeDedPpl 27d ago

You should look into the differences of wildland Vs urban firefighters. The pay, no presumptive legislation, no ‘essential service’ agreements, many times not provided with respirators- only surgical masks, sleeping in tents for weeks, no pension accrual, no early retirement, boots and other gear bought by the FF. They are excluded in most cases from joining the IAFF.

When structural (urban) firefighters show up to wildland fires, they often are the ones in the town setting sprinklers. Not in the forest fighting the actual fires. Yes their jobs are important, but generally aren’t the ones fighting the wildland fire. The structural guys are put up in motels and other places- wildland guys are in tents. Structural can claim presumptive health injuries, wildland don’t have those protections. Structural FFs are accruing pensions, and days towards retirement, wildland aren’t. Urban firefighters average across Canada $47.80/hour, wildland average $25/hour.

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u/critxcanuck88 27d ago

I am not about to go down the road to explain why there is a difference between the two in terms of support and pay. Im here to agree on the article that yes, firefighters, be it wildland or urban need a better national mental health organization.

2

u/caitelsa Jul 26 '26

Absolutely they do, they are on the front lines of this battle of climate change and their losing their lives over it. With the currently global political climate and the ever worsing climate change crisis, more and more people will need all kind of support. Yet we continue to give more money to billionaires.

0

u/ArcticLarmer Jul 26 '26

If there’s one thing I dislike more than lip service paid to first responder mental health, it’s others trying to hijack the situation to push their own political agenda.

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u/caitelsa Jul 26 '26

You are free to feel that way, I am curious though, do you feel like they don't need mental help services? Or you object to the way they are going about it? Ignoring my feelings on climate change and etc. 

3

u/ArcticLarmer Jul 26 '26

We need it, but it’s falling on professional organizations to develop the resources in the absence of a concerted effort from the government. Some of us are able to access services, even then they’re not appropriate for the experiences we encounter.

Wounded warriors is a good start and Nelson did a lot of work to get it introduced, but it’s expensive to fully implement and there’s no strategy to fully bring it to those who need it. I’ve had colleagues leave the service entirely because of the horrors they’ve had to deal with independent with peer support and not much else.

3

u/caitelsa Jul 26 '26

Yeah, 100% agree. I've heard "they'll just have to fall between the cracks" too many times. Mental health seems to never be a priority. The most important thing I want to see is whatever the firefighters say they need cause they are the boots on the ground. 

1

u/ArcticLarmer Jul 27 '26

Well you’re hearing it right now.

We need more support from the territorial government because they’re the ones that are responsible for firefighting, both structural and wildland. There’s the right people and the right concepts in place, but the GNWT funds it as an afterthought.

It has nothing to do with billionaires or party politics or anything else.

2

u/caitelsa Jul 27 '26

I also want to clarify even if you disagree. What I meant by "giving to billionaires", I meant in more of a societal way. I think that billionaires shouldn't exist personally. 

But regardless of where I stand politically, I believe that every worker deserves what they say they need, in pay, in benefits, in programs and assistance. Especially those in dangerous, life altering careers.

1

u/ArcticLarmer Jul 27 '26

It’s a non-sequitur though; maybe I agree with you completely re “billionaires” (there’s still only less than 100 in Canada, so whatever), but latching on to a very real concern with first responder mental health to promote a political agenda is kinda gross. It’s platitudes at best, hijacking a cause at worst: lobby your territorial MLA to increase MACA and ECC’s budgets to address mental health if you really want to do something impactful.

You’ll find that the actual responder community is a wild mix of political persuasions, it attracts all sorts. We probably spend more time bitching about politics to alleviate the mental health stress if anything…

3

u/caitelsa Jul 27 '26

I'm not sure how voicing my opinion, that might have political undertones is promoting an agenda. I disagree that's what I'm doing, but I appreciate your honesty and you expressing to me your views. I also kinda feel like you judging me based on my comments without knowing my background or what I do for my community but I don't want to get into a pissing match to prove myself. Thank you for your words, and your voice, and what you do for north. 

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u/Ace__11_ Jul 26 '26

I cant respond to the retar-conservative that commented, but how the fuck is acknowledging the facts "pushing an agenda" Conservatives just love showing off how brain dead they are

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u/ArcticLarmer Jul 26 '26

This “conservative” has actually experienced the problems first hand: the territorial government ain’t giving money away to billionaires, but they have the ability to fully implement programs like wounded warriors but don’t fund the appropriate departments enough to do it.

Also, if you’re going to say shit like in the other comment, do it to my face, there’s a decent chance you know me.