New York State
Association of Fire Chiefs

Providing Service to Those Who Serve

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Firefighter Behavioral Health Resource Center

If you or a fellow firefighter feel suicidal or need help now for any reason, do not delay – contact:

  • 988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress. People can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. 988 serves as a universal entry point, so that no matter where you live in the United States, you can reach a trained crisis counselor who can help.
  • Share The Load Fire/EMS Helpline – 1-888-731-FIRE (3473)  
  • Safe Call Now – 206-459-3020
  • Crisis Text Line – text the word HOME or BADGE to 741741
  • Your agency’s Employee Assistance Program
Firefighters are fantastic problem solvers; the public calls on us to manage every crisis imaginable. Part of being a firefighter includes exposure to traumatic events. Quite simply – bad runs happen. Firefighters are regular people. They have families, homes, bills to pay, and people to answer to outside of the fire house. Put all this together and, as a profession, it's no wonder why firefighters have higher rates of divorce, alcoholism, substance abuse, and suicide than civilians.

The New York State Association of Fire Chiefs has developed this web page with resources and tips for what you and your department can and should do to protect the physical and mental well being of your members. Keeping firefighters happy and protecting our own is an inside job!

Resources: Links to Additional Resources: Suicide in the Fire Service: