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Mental Health — Seeking Support

 

It’s common for the maintenance of our mental and emotional wellbeing to be postponed for the demands of wildland firefighting; however, there may be times in your career when you cannot delay your need for professional support. Recognizing your own need to seek support or reaching out when someone on your team is struggling can be just as impactful as calling out a hazard on the fireline. Learn to recognize when help is needed and what resources are available. This topic aims to expand our definition of safety to include mental wellbeing. 

Sunrise with firefighters silhouetted against the sky walking along a ridge with a body of water in front.

Your Mental Health Matters

Mental health and physical safety are interconnected. When stress and trauma go unaddressed, they can cloud judgement, slow reaction times, and impair communication, ultimately jeopardizing individual safety as well as the safety of their entire team.

When to Seek Professional Support

You may benefit from working with a mental health professional if you are experiencing any of these symptoms:

  • Problems are lingering and not getting better — especially beyond 30 days.
  • You have prolonged, intense feelings of sadness, hopelessness, emptiness, guilt, worry, anxiety, or anger.
  • You notice changes in your behaviors, such as isolating or withdrawing from others, problems with your sleep or appetite, or increased use of alcohol or drugs to cope.
  • You have difficulty functioning or concentrating on everyday tasks at work, school, or home.
  • You have continuous conflicts, detachment, and problems in relationships with loved ones.
  • Family and friends repeatedly voice concern for you.
  • You experience physical symptoms, such as chronic headaches, stomach issues, or fatigue without a medical basis.

Check with your employer and health insurance provider for available resources. Different resources may be helpful at different phases of your career and for different circumstances.

Discussion Questions:

  • What might prevent firefighters from seeking professional mental health support? How can we overcome those barriers?
  • How can we support a colleague who is experiencing mental health challenges?
  • Seeing a mental health professional is a healthy outlet, yet there is still a stigma attached. How does your crew talk about seeking support?
  • Review the resources in the references below to discover what’s available for you and your crew.
     

References:

Additional Resources:

For more behavioral health resources and information please see the information below.

Category
Firefighter Health and First Aid

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NWCG Latest Announcements

2025/2026 Leadership Campaign Quarter 2 Now Available!

Date: February 13, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the Quarter Two materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available! This annual initiative invites all leadership and wildland fire management students to engage with essential skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

This quarter focuses on Leadership Level 2: New Leader (Conveying Intent). Conveying intent is a crucial leadership competency in the high-risk, dynamic environment of wildland firefighting. Months 4 - 6 will concentrate on how successfully conveying intent enhances situational awareness, promotes shared understanding, and empowers firefighters to exercise initiative and adapt to changing conditions.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

Opportunity to Serve the Wildland Fire Community as an IPTM SME!

Date: February 10, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG SME Specialist

NWCG is seeking experienced wildland firefighters and support personnel to serve as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) initiative. The intent of IPTM is to transition NWCG’s training and qualification system to a performance-based model through updated position descriptions, Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Books (Next Gen PTBs), and updates to training where needed.

NWCG is currently recruiting SMEs for the following positions:

  • Aircraft Timekeeper (ATIM)
  • Compensation/Claims Unit Leader (COMP)
  • Cost Unit Leader (COST)
  • Crew Representative (CREP)
  • Deck Coordinator (DECK)
  • Fire Effects Monitor (FEMO)
  • Field Observer (FOBS)
  • Geographic Information System Specialist (GISS)
  • Ordering Manager (ORDM)
  • Receiving/Distribution Manager (RCDM)
  • Staging Area Manager (STAM)

Projects begin April/May 2026 and require 15–20 hours per month for 6–8 months, including a five-day workshop in Boise, Idaho this May. Apply by February 27, 2026, at the link below and review the attached document for details.

References:

NWCG SME Interest Sign-up

IPTM Subject Matter Expert Duties and Expectations Document

Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM)

NEW! M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) Course Available Now

Date: January 29, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Resource Advisor Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) course is now available. This training supports individuals working towards Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) incident qualifications.

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) training prepares students to serve as a Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) as defined in NWCG Incident Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112. This course presents scenarios that reflect the diverse challenges a REAF may encounter during an incident. Through these scenarios, participants gain hands-on experience and an understanding of REAF responsibilities in a controlled learning environment.

References:

Resource Advisor, Fireline Position Page

NWCG Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

Date: January 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

The Incident and Position Standards Committee has updated the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

These updates address changes to incident position names and requirements for qualification, training, and experience. Updates related to the implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) and Incident Performance Training Modernization (IPTM) are also included.

The NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308 has also been updated to reflect the recent changes.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308

IPSC Memo 26-01: January 2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Positions Qualifications, PMS 310-1