What’s Next? Mini Symposium Series on Health
UCF Trustee Chair and Pegasus Professor Deborah C. Beidel, who serves as executive director of UCF RESTORES, recently participated in the Congressional Fire Services Institute’s “What’s Next?” Mini Symposium Series. This educational program explores innovative approaches to firefighter mental wellness, emerging research on occupational cancer screening, the role of organizational leadership in supporting behavioral health, and the health hazards associated with electric vehicle firefighting and PPE contamination.
Dr. Beidel’s presentation Building a Statewide Mental Wellness Framework for Firefighters highlights Florida’s collaborative approach to strengthening firefighter mental wellness following major critical incidents through a comprehensive Behavioral Health Access Plan focused on clinical care, peer support training, and research. The session explores the development of Florida’s Mental Wellness Incident Management Team, expanded behavioral health resources, and the impact these initiatives have had on firefighter resilience and wellness.
Please visit the Congressional Fire Services Institute’s page to watch.
