Equipping Clinicians to Engage the Fire Service Community
“Cultural competency is not just a best practice – it’s an essential component of effective behavioral health care. Our fire service cultural competency training program reflects UCF RESTORES’ commitment to equipping clinicians with the tools they need to truly support those who serve our communities.” – UCF RESTORES Executive Director Deborah C. Beidel, Ph.D., ABPP
At UCF RESTORES, we believe that understanding the unique culture of those seeking care is essential to delivering effective mental health treatment. Our Fire Service Cultural Competency Training Course empowers licensed mental health clinicians to effectively understand and address the specific clinical needs of firefighters.
The online Fire Service Cultural Competency Training Course builds on a strong legacy of collaboration and innovation. Historically, UCF RESTORES has partnered with the Florida Firefighters Safety & Health Collaborative (FFSHC) to deliver cultural competency training as part of the FFSHC’s pioneering “Clinician Awareness Program.” Until now, this program has featured two days of immersive, in-person training: one focused on didactic instruction and another dedicated to experiential learning.
While the experiential component still requires in-person participation, UCF RESTORES and the FFSHC recognized the opportunity to transition the didactic training to an online format – expanding its accessibility and geographic reach.
This now fully-online didactic training course provides a comprehensive introduction to the language, lifestyle, and occupational challenges of the fire service. Clinicians will hear directly from firefighters describing the demands of their profession and the unique lifestyle it fosters. They will also gain insights from academics and clinicians into the risk factors that increase firefighters’ vulnerability to PTSD and related conditions, as well as learn how to tailor services to meet the needs of this distinct community.
Moving the didactic component online offers clinicians greater flexibility, enabling them to complete this essential training without needing to step away from their practices for two full days. This evolution ensures that clinicians across the country can access the tools and knowledge necessary to effectively serve firefighters in their communities.
“Surveys of firefighters indicate that one of the major barriers to accessing care is the lack of clinicians who are knowledgeable about their occupation and lifestyle. This course is one avenue to address that shortage. As we launch this new online chapter, we remain deeply committed to supporting first responders and those who care for them.” – UCF RESTORES Executive Director Deborah C. Beidel, Ph.D., ABPP
This course will address:
- Firefighter culture, including values, traditions, and challenges unique to this community;
- The relationship between chronic exposure to trauma and its impact on firefighters’ physical and mental health;
- The unique operational demands of firefighting, including shift schedules, team dynamics, and the physical and behavioral health risks inherent in the role; and,
- Evidence-based treatment strategies to build trust and provide effective care for firefighter clients and their families.
After completing this course, participants will be able to:
- Identify the key aspects of firefighter culture, including language, customs, and occupational dynamics;
- Understand the connection between the physical and mental health risks of firefighting and their impact on daily life;
- Realize the factors that make firefighters particularly vulnerable to PTSD and other trauma-related conditions;
- Develop tailored treatment plans using efficacious, evidence-based approaches for first responder populations; and,
- Foster trust and understanding through culturally competent practices, improving therapeutic outcomes.
The course is approved by the American Psychological Association for 4.25 CE credits, and completion fulfills the first step toward registration on Redline RescueTM, an online directory of clinicians who have completed specialized didactic and practical training to better understand (and better serve) firefighters and their families.
To fully qualify for Redline Rescue, Florida-based graduates of our Fire Service Cultural Competency Training course must go on to participate in the one-day Clinician Awareness Program offered by the FFSHC. Out-of-state course participants can gain the needed experiential training by completing ride-alongs with their local fire department.
Are you ready to make a difference for the firefighters in your community? Get started today!