September 10, 2024, Press Release from the Ohio Fire Chiefs' Association: Lima – The Bath Township Fire Department will be hosting a free in-person course for first responders, “Peer Support.” The two-day program, scheduled for September 12 & 13 at the Bath Township Fire Department, teaches the fundamentals necessary to recognize and respond to mental health emergencies among first responders. The class is presented by the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) in association with the Ohio Fire Chiefs Association (OFCA).
“I’m excited to bring this important class to Allen County and Northwest Ohio,” said Bath Township Fire Chief Joseph Kitchen, who is also OFCA President. “With suicide rates soaring among first responders nationally, this class is more important than ever.”
According to the IAFF, the stresses faced by firefighters and emergency medical personnel on the job – incidents involving children, violence, inherent dangers of firefighting and other potentially traumatic events – can have a cumulative impact on mental health and well-being. Peer Support recognizes these risks and provides a lifeline to first responders navigating the complexities of their profession.
Peer Support Training is delivered by master instructors and gives participants the necessary knowledge and skills to provide support to their peers, have a basic understanding of common behavioral health issues affecting first responders, and build or enhance their peer support programs. The course serves as a bridge to community resources and behavioral health treatment when indicated.
The course is delivered free to participants through a federal grant received by the OFCA from the United States Department of Health and Human Services. It is open to firefighters, emergency medical personnel, law enforcement officers and dispatchers. For more information on the course, contact Chief Kitchen at (419) 221-0550.
About Bath Township
The Bath Township Fire Department, organized in 1957, serves the over 9,800 residents of the Township from a single station. The department consists of a combination of career and part-time personnel and responded to 1629 calls for service in 2023.
About the OFCA
The Ohio Fire Chiefs' Association is a statewide organization supporting the interests of Ohio's fire officers. Through a variety of programs and services, the Association provides education and professional development, legislative advocacy, communication and information exchange and peer networking opportunities throughout the year. The OFCA is dedicated to being the premier fire and emergency services organization in the state of Ohio.
About the IAFF
The International Association of Firefighters is the driving force behind every advance in fire and emergency services in the 21st century. With headquarters in Washington, DC, and Ottawa, Canada, the IAFF represents more than 344,000 career firefighters and EMS professionals. Its members protect more than 85 percent of the population throughout the US and Canada.
