The 2nd Alarm Project offers behavioral health resources to firefighters (career, volunteer, and retirees) and fire departments in the following counties across the Florida Panhandle: Bay, Calhoun, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Liberty, Leon, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwanee, Taylor, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington.
Funded by a federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), our support system includes:
Need to talk to someone who “gets” it? Our counselors understand first responder culture. Speak confidentially to a licensed behavioral health provider who specializes in the treatment of common challenges facing firefighters; including stress, PTSD, depression, addiction, anxiety, and relationship concerns. Our providers are experienced in working with first responders and have taken additional training in providing behavioral health services to first responders.
Need to talk with a trained peer? Looking to start a peer support program at your department? Our program can provide resources to develop a new or augment an existing trained peer support program at your department, or help you find an existing trained peer team member who is willing to connect with you if you are struggling with emotional concerns- big or small, on or off the job.
Need a trusted source of firefighter specific health information? Here you will find a Free App for download with modules available including a link to free tele-counseling services, a Firefighter Wellness Toolkit, Self-Assessments, Tips, QuickLinks & More
Looking to help break the stigma and change the culture? Fire service leadership possesses a powerful opportunity to create culture shifts to reduce stigma regarding mental health and substance use among firefighters. Through leadership development workshops and other resources, the 2nd Alarm project will help leaders identify strategies to address behavioral health issues to improve mission readiness, preserve the force, and improve the long-term health of firefighters, families, and retirees.
Photo Credit: JJ Cassetta @firedeptshutterbug
We heard you! The 2nd Alarm Project seeks to address the most common barriers to accessing care reported by firefighters in our area, including:
41% of firefighters reported wanting to solve the problem on their own
37% thought the problem would get better by itself
35% reported feeling embarrassed or ashamed
34% reported not wanting a mental health problem on their medical records
32% reported concerns they might be seen as weak for having a mental health problem or that people they know would find out
24% reported not being able to afford financial costs involved
22% were unsure of where to get professional care
20% reported they would rather seek care from peers
14% had previous bad experiences with professional care
This product was supported [in part] by grant number H79FG000149 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The content does not necessarily reflect the views or polices of SAMHSA or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
