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Building resilience in volunteer firefighters

This pilot study aimed to develop, implement, and evaluate a resilience education program for volunteer firefighters in British Columbia (B.C.). Volunteer fire rescue services (FRS) are essential but under-resourced, facing high physical and psychological risks. This research focused on improving mental health through resilience training, addressing a gap in existing literature that primarily targets career firefighters. Using mixed methods, the study measured resilience before and after an educational intervention, utilizing three validated scales: the Resilience Scale (RS), the Resilience at Work Scale (R@W), and a qualitative Resilience Questionnaire (RQ). Results showed that firefighters exhibited moderate resilience before the program, with significant improvements post-intervention. Participants reported using a variety of strategies, such as peer support, exercise, mindfulness, and personal reflection, to maintain resilience. The study highlights the importance of tailored resilience education in enhancing mental health and provides a foundation for future programs across other first responder groups.

Principal Applicant: Leigh Blaney (Vancouver Island University)
Co-Applicant: Geoff Spriggs (Langford Fire Rescue)
Funding Awarded: $16,089 (Innovation at Work)

Competition Year: 2018 File type: PDF (192 KB) Asset type: Research Research: RS2018-IG07