Every firefighter knows stress is just part of the job. But when it threatens our physical or emotional health, our careers, marriages, or financial stability, or leads us to abuse alcohol or drugs, we now have better options for getting help.

TSAFF’s evolving peer support program includes 16 team leaders and hundreds of trained firefighters who can provide Texas fire fighters a wide range of support – from confidential advice from a fire fighter who faced a similar challenge to referrals to medical, financial, or spiritual guidance.

TSAFF Chaplain Chris Hale, who’s leading the state association peer support program, said, “When ‘peer support’ comes up, we often think of major crises such as line-of-duty deaths and injuries and traumatic fire and EMS scenes. But we now know the stress of our profession creates all kinds of issues. Some are life-and-death issues. Many others are not.”

TSAFF peer support team members have been trained in therapeutic communication, crisis intervention, and community resource networking. They can provide assistance to both active and retired firefighters who are experiencing behavioral health or addiction issues. Peer support team members also act as bridges to outside resources.

The TSAFF program is aligned with the IAFF’s program. Hale credits the contributions of Dr. Suzy Gulliver, an expert in trauma- and stress-related conditions who is the founding director and chief of the Warriors Research Institute at Scott & White Healthcare in Waco.“

Dr. Gulliver understands fire fighters and military personnel,” Hale said. “Our members trust and rely on her. She and the IAFF are important partners for the TSAFF program.”

Hale said research shows that fire service personnel who balance physical, behavioral, and emotional fitness have a better quality of life, whether one is looking at adjustment to becoming a fire fighter, ratings of career satisfaction, family well-being, or adjustment to retirement.

TSAFF President John Riddle said, “TSAFF represents 18,000 fire fighters in 190 communities. We now can get help to every one of them. If a sister fire fighter wants to talk with an experienced sister in another city, we can make that happen. If a brother fire fighter is retiring, we can put him in touch with someone who understands that situation. Our program is new, but it has great potential.”

Hale said, “When it comes to issues such as post-traumatic stress and other health challenges in the fire service, it’s OK to admit that we’re not OK. That understanding is the first step toward healing. I believe that a friendly, confidential peer support friend can save a fire fighter’s life. I’ve witnessed it.”

Hale said one priority of the TSAFF program is to match fire fighters in need with brother and sister fire fighters with similar experiences. “Like many fire fighters, my faith is a powerful force in my life,” Hale said. “But I appreciate that there are other perspectives and needs. Our goal with the TSAFF peer support program is to provide members with the help they want or need. They may need a doctor or counselor. They may need financial advice. Or they may just need a firefighter friend to hear them out and sort through some problems.”

According to Hale, the common behavioral health threats fire fighters faces are post-traumatic stress, burnout, substance abuse, anger management, and depression.

"Substance abuse is a well-known issue for firefighters now, but other challenges like burnout and anxiety are increasingly common too,” he said. “Anger and cynicism toward our employers and the public we serve are symptoms. So are detachment, short-fuse anger, and other reactions.”

Riddle added, “We want TSAFF members to always know that they have support and friends in their times of need. Please pick up the phone and reach out. With our peer support team, help is nearby."

Every firefighter knows stress is just part of the job. But when it threatens our physical or emotional health, our careers, marriages, or financial stability, or leads us to abuse alcohol or drugs, we now have better options for getting help.

TSAFF’s evolving peer support program includes 16 team leaders and hundreds of trained firefighters who can provide Texas fire fighters a wide range of support – from confidential advice from a fire fighter who faced a similar challenge to referrals to medical, financial, or spiritual guidance.

TSAFF Chaplain Chris Hale, who’s leading the state association peer support program, said, “When ‘peer support’ comes up, we often think of major crises such as line-of-duty deaths and injuries and traumatic fire and EMS scenes. But we now know the stress of our profession creates all kinds of issues. Some are life-and-death issues. Many others are not.”

TSAFF peer support team members have been trained in therapeutic communication, crisis intervention, and community resource networking. They can provide assistance to both active and retired firefighters who are experiencing behavioral health or addiction issues. Peer support team members also act as bridges to outside resources.

The TSAFF program is aligned with the IAFF’s program. Hale credits the contributions of Dr. Suzy Gulliver, an expert in trauma- and stress-related conditions who is the founding director and chief of the Warriors Research Institute at Scott & White Healthcare in Waco.“

Dr. Gulliver understands fire fighters and military personnel,” Hale said. “Our members trust and rely on her. She and the IAFF are important partners for the TSAFF program.”

Hale said research shows that fire service personnel who balance physical, behavioral, and emotional fitness have a better quality of life, whether one is looking at adjustment to becoming a fire fighter, ratings of career satisfaction, family well-being, or adjustment to retirement.

TSAFF President John Riddle said, “TSAFF represents 18,000 fire fighters in 190 communities. We now can get help to every one of them. If a sister fire fighter wants to talk with an experienced sister in another city, we can make that happen. If a brother fire fighter is retiring, we can put him in touch with someone who understands that situation. Our program is new, but it has great potential.”

Hale said, “When it comes to issues such as post-traumatic stress and other health challenges in the fire service, it’s OK to admit that we’re not OK. That understanding is the first step toward healing. I believe that a friendly, confidential peer support friend can save a fire fighter’s life. I’ve witnessed it.”

Hale said one priority of the TSAFF program is to match fire fighters in need with brother and sister fire fighters with similar experiences. “Like many fire fighters, my faith is a powerful force in my life,” Hale said. “But I appreciate that there are other perspectives and needs. Our goal with the TSAFF peer support program is to provide members with the help they want or need. They may need a doctor or counselor. They may need financial advice. Or they may just need a firefighter friend to hear them out and sort through some problems.”

According to Hale, the common behavioral health threats fire fighters faces are post-traumatic stress, burnout, substance abuse, anger management, and depression.

"Substance abuse is a well-known issue for firefighters now, but other challenges like burnout and anxiety are increasingly common too,” he said. “Anger and cynicism toward our employers and the public we serve are symptoms. So are detachment, short-fuse anger, and other reactions.”

Riddle added, “We want TSAFF members to always know that they have support and friends in their times of need. Please pick up the phone and reach out. With our peer support team, help is nearby."

Every firefighter knows stress is just part of the job. But when it threatens our physical or emotional health, our careers, marriages, or financial stability, or leads us to abuse alcohol or drugs, we now have better options for getting help.

TSAFF’s evolving peer support program includes 16 team leaders and hundreds of trained firefighters who can provide Texas fire fighters a wide range of support – from confidential advice from a fire fighter who faced a similar challenge to referrals to medical, financial, or spiritual guidance.

TSAFF Chaplain Chris Hale, who’s leading the state association peer support program, said, “When ‘peer support’ comes up, we often think of major crises such as line-of-duty deaths and injuries and traumatic fire and EMS scenes. But we now know the stress of our profession creates all kinds of issues. Some are life-and-death issues. Many others are not.”

TSAFF peer support team members have been trained in therapeutic communication, crisis intervention, and community resource networking. They can provide assistance to both active and retired firefighters who are experiencing behavioral health or addiction issues. Peer support team members also act as bridges to outside resources.

The TSAFF program is aligned with the IAFF’s program. Hale credits the contributions of Dr. Suzy Gulliver, an expert in trauma- and stress-related conditions who is the founding director and chief of the Warriors Research Institute at Scott & White Healthcare in Waco.“

Dr. Gulliver understands fire fighters and military personnel,” Hale said. “Our members trust and rely on her. She and the IAFF are important partners for the TSAFF program.”

Hale said research shows that fire service personnel who balance physical, behavioral, and emotional fitness have a better quality of life, whether one is looking at adjustment to becoming a fire fighter, ratings of career satisfaction, family well-being, or adjustment to retirement.

TSAFF President John Riddle said, “TSAFF represents 18,000 fire fighters in 190 communities. We now can get help to every one of them. If a sister fire fighter wants to talk with an experienced sister in another city, we can make that happen. If a brother fire fighter is retiring, we can put him in touch with someone who understands that situation. Our program is new, but it has great potential.”

Hale said, “When it comes to issues such as post-traumatic stress and other health challenges in the fire service, it’s OK to admit that we’re not OK. That understanding is the first step toward healing. I believe that a friendly, confidential peer support friend can save a fire fighter’s life. I’ve witnessed it.”

Hale said one priority of the TSAFF program is to match fire fighters in need with brother and sister fire fighters with similar experiences. “Like many fire fighters, my faith is a powerful force in my life,” Hale said. “But I appreciate that there are other perspectives and needs. Our goal with the TSAFF peer support program is to provide members with the help they want or need. They may need a doctor or counselor. They may need financial advice. Or they may just need a firefighter friend to hear them out and sort through some problems.”

According to Hale, the common behavioral health threats fire fighters faces are post-traumatic stress, burnout, substance abuse, anger management, and depression.

"Substance abuse is a well-known issue for firefighters now, but other challenges like burnout and anxiety are increasingly common too,” he said. “Anger and cynicism toward our employers and the public we serve are symptoms. So are detachment, short-fuse anger, and other reactions.”

Riddle added, “We want TSAFF members to always know that they have support and friends in their times of need. Please pick up the phone and reach out. With our peer support team, help is nearby."