Resilience for Trauma and Adverse Events Among Firefighter First Responders

Abstract

Purpose: This quality improvement project’s purpose was to educate firefighter first responders at Rural Metro Fire Department on resiliency practices to increase understanding of resiliency and the likelihood of adopting resiliency practices to better cope with memories of adverse events while on duty to reduce PTSD.Background: Firefighters’ repeated exposure to high-stress situations can lead to symptoms of PTSD. Existing research suggests firefighters with resiliency skills cope with chronic exposure to trauma and adverse events and have decreased symptoms of PTSD, compared to first responders who do not. Methods: Firefighter crew members with the Rural Metro Fire Department volunteered to participate in this quality improvement project. Participants were given a 15-minute PowerPoint educational discussion, a post-retrospective survey in paper printed form, and a resiliency information handout to keep. Results: Five firefighter participants completed the post-retrospective survey. Based on the data, there was an increase in firefighter’s knowledge and intent to use resilience practices plus an improvement in understanding and comfort in using resilience skills. Also, data shows firefighter participants felt this quality improvement resilience education would be beneficial for firefighters’ mental health. Conclusions: This quality improvement project suggests alternative interventions for PTSD among firefighter first responders beneficial to improving resilience skills for this population. Utilizing resilience as a belief allows first responders to acknowledge their stressors, advocate for their own mental health, and influence a support system of first responders.