Supporting our Fire and EMS Professionals

In January, Our EPIC Project teamed up with Trillium Health Services to provide Currituck County Fire and EMS with two full days of training dedicated to Mental Health First Aid, designed specifically for First Responders.

Firefighters and EMS personnel face daily stress and trauma that can impact their health, performance and relationships.

The statistics are staggering.

• The Reality of Trauma: Firefighters experience an average of nine traumatic events in a single year of service—roughly 225 over a 25-year career.

• PTSD & Depression: Research indicates that 22% of firefighters and up to 37% of EMS providers meet the clinical criteria for PTSD, compared to just 6% of the general population.

• The Suicide Epidemic: Tragically, firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty. In 2024 alone, there were 143 reported first responder suicides in the U.S..

• Burnout: A staggering 90% of first responders report that burnout is a major challenge within their community.

While responders are experts in physical trauma, many lack the tools for psychological emergencies.

• The Confidence Gap: Approximately 79% of first responders report they do not feel completely confident in identifying the signs of a mental health crisis.

• The Barrier of Stigma: Around 80% of responders cite stigma as the primary reason they don't seek help, fearing they will be deemed "unfit" for duty.

Mental Health First Aid Training helps members recognize early signs of depression, anxiety, and substance use, which can be prevalent in the Fire and EMS professions, and equips our first responders with tools to care for themselves, their departments and the communities they serve.

When departments train together, it builds trust. 89% of responders say they would feel more comfortable asking for help if their colleagues were trained to talk openly about it. In May, Our EPIC Project will host another two days of training to ensure that all members of Currituck Fire and EMS receive this valuable tool.

Since it's first Mental Health First Aid Class in May 2024, Our EPIC project has provided training and certification to over 150 folks in both Dare and Currituck Counties. If you, or your organization is interested in finding out more information on hosting a Mental Health First Aid Training please reach out to info@ourepicproject.com

Mental Health First Aid is provided by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, the unifying voice of more than 3,200 organizations that deliver mental health and substance use treatment and care in the United States.