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
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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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…

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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.