Langford Fire Rescue is taking steps to address the mental health of its members by partnering with Wounded Warriors Canada.

The department is the first in B.C. to formalize a partnership with the charity group that focuses on the mental health of veterans, first responders and their families.

B次元官网网址淚 believe the two greatest challenges that are going to affect firefighters over the next decade is cancer-related illness and mental health trauma,B次元官网网址� said Langford Fire Chief Chris Aubrey. B次元官网网址淏y establishing this partnership we are committed to providing Langford Fire Rescue members with as much access to support and resources so they can maintain their physical and mental well being.B次元官网网址�

Wounded Warriors Canada began work to expand to first responders in 2016. Partnership agreements like the one between Langford Fire Rescue and the organization started to form in March of last year, and since then over 30 partnerships have been formed nationally.

READ MORE: Vancouver Island service dogs helping veterans deal with PTSD

Scott Maxwell, executive director of Wounded Warriors Canada, said traditionally, organizations had their own templates to help their members. But he said no one service or organization can be the total solution for its peopleB次元官网网址檚 mental health challenges.

B次元官网网址淲hen people fall through the cracks and gaps exist, we know it can get very bad very quickly,B次元官网网址� Maxwell said. B次元官网网址淲hen you get the chiefs and association leaders to step forward and say that itB次元官网网址檚 OK to put your hand up, itB次元官网网址檚 OK to access partnerships like what they have with Wounded Warriors Canada, weB次元官网网址檙e seeing the results of that.B次元官网网址�

The partnership will educate members of Langford Fire Rescue about services that are available to them and aims to show them that they have a place to reach out to if needed.

One of the programs offered by the organization is called BOS B次元官网网址� Before Operational Stress B次元官网网址� which helps people identify symptoms of PTSD and learn how to address them. There is also a program called COPE B次元官网网址� couples overcoming PTSD every day B次元官网网址� that has treated at least 300 couples already. Both programs started in Victoria.

READ MORE: Firefighters embrace reality of PTSD

Jacqueline Zweng, the Victoria ambassador for Wounded Warriors Canada said she has seen the programs prove to be very successful and because they are research-based, and sheB次元官网网址檚 confident theyB次元官网网址檙e only going to get better.

B次元官网网址淧eople are functioning at a much better level after the programming, couples have stronger relationships that are thriving,B次元官网网址� Zweng said. B次元官网网址淧ersonally, I can just see the hope when you talk to somebody about what is available and they realize theyB次元官网网址檙e not alone.B次元官网网址�

Aubrey said he wants to do whatever he can to make sure his members have the resources they need so they donB次元官网网址檛 become injured in the course of helping out their neighbours. He said he is encouraging other first responders to look at the resources available and ensure their members can access them.

B次元官网网址淧eople realize there is an option and they can follow through with it,B次元官网网址� Zweng said. B次元官网网址淭o have a fire chief stand up and say this is important, now all of his members know they can say something too.B次元官网网址�

shalu.mehta@goldstreamgazette.com

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