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). 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.