Friday, August 28, 2026

Strength and Support Amidst the Smoke

For volunteer firefighters, the risk of service isn’t just the smoke, heat, and flames.

Ontario Emergency Services Emergency Medical Services

When the call comes in, volunteer firefighters are ready to step up for their communities. But responding to emergencies can take a toll in ways that aren’t always visible. That’s why supporting the mental health and resilience of first responders continues to be an important priority at CLAC. For volunteer firefighters in particular, the demands of the role often come on top of work, family, and everyday life.

Over the past year, CLAC partnered with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) to offer Mental Health Resiliency training designed to give volunteer firefighters practical tools they can carry with them at the firehall and beyond. In late 2025 and early 2026, firefighters gathered for in-person sessions in Sudbury, Binbrook, and Hamilton. For those who couldn’t make it in person, five distance-learning sessions provided another way to take part.

These sessions gave participants a chance to learn, talk openly, ask questions, and connect with others who understand the unique pressures that come with being a first responder. By the end of the training, 50 volunteer firefighters had participated, each bringing their own experiences and perspectives to the conversation. And ultimately, these sessions were a success.

Participants spoke highly of the training, particularly its relevance to the realities that first responders face. Some even described it as among the best mental health training they had taken, praising both the content and the instructors.

One of the core strengths of these sessions was how they looked in two directions. They focused both on how firefighters can care for their own mental health and how they can better support someone experiencing distress while on a call. And that started with recognizing that there’s no single way to manage stress.

The training encouraged participants to build a wider range of coping strategies so they have more than one tool to reach for when things get difficult. While physical activity is often a primary outlet, the sessions reinforced the need for alternative coping strategies, particularly in situations where injury or illness may limit physical options.

That same practical approach carried over to supporting others, where the training taught firefighters respectful ways to respond to people in distress while gaining a better understanding of their own needs and reactions. It’s knowledge that can make a difference, both during and after difficult calls.

Resilience is often viewed as someone’s ability to push through whatever comes their way. But the stresses that first responders face are not always the type of feelings that can or should be pushed through. In these situations, true resilience means having the awareness, skills, and support to recognize when something is taking a toll and knowing what to do next.

As these firefighters return to their departments, they bring new tools with them. And when people who spend so much of their time looking out for others are better equipped to look after themselves and one another, their entire community is stronger for it.

Strength and Support Amidst the Smoke

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