In the past 90 days, California has lost four firefighters to active-duty suicide. Each of these losses is devastating to their family and to their fire service family. We must come together and take action to open up and support each other. The battle with PTSI, struggles with addiction, struggles with the complexity of life, and seeking help are why we are reaching out to you today with a special message from CPF President Brian K. Rice.

‍

‍

For more information about mental behavioral health visit https://www.healingourown.org/

‍

About Healing our Own

‍

Healing Our Own (HOO) is an initiative of the California Fire Service Task Force on Behavioral Health, launched in 2016 as a joint labor-management effort involving organizations like California Professional Firefighters and the California Fire Chiefs Association. Dedicated to prioritizing emotional wellness and post-traumatic stress injuries in the fire service, HOO works to reduce stigma around mental health issues, build awareness of the emotional toll of firefighting, establish peer support networks, develop best practices for prevention and intervention, and advocate for legislative changes. Through resources like clinical directories, personal stories, and events such as Suicide Prevention Safety Stand Downs, it supports firefighters in accessing behavioral health care and fosters a culture of healing within the profession.

‍