EDMONTON FIRE RESCUE FIRST FIRE SERVICE IN CANADA TO OFFER BEFORE OPERATIONAL STRESS TRAINING FOR RECRUITS
EDMONTON – Edmonton Fire Rescue Services is proud to announce they are first fire service in Canada to provide their recruits with the Before Operational Stress (BOS) Recruit Training program.
Developed by Dr. Megan McElheran, BOS is Wounded Warriors Canada’s leading trauma informed workplace training program that has been designed to provide public safety personnel with theoretical and practical learning with respect to the impact of operational stressors that occur in the line of duty – including information about the markers of operational stress, common reactions to trauma, and how to use coping behaviours to manage stressful situations when they occur.
Scott Maxwell, Executive Director of Wounded Warriors Canada, commented, “This is a game changing moment for fire rescue in Canada. Providing BOS to public safety personnel at the recruit level takes a proactive approach to mental health protection that will provide members, at the earliest opportunity, with the tools required to help mitigate the effects of the stressors they will encounter throughout their operational careers. We commend Edmonton Fire Rescue Services for their leadership in what is a significant milestone for our respective organizations.”
Edmonton Fire Rescue Services Chief, Joe Zatylny, commented, “Being proactive in our continued enhancement of mental health resources as well as in providing psychological training and education, is a necessary step to supporting the long-term wellness of our members. Proud to pilot this new partnership program with Wounded Warriors Canada.”
The pilot program is underway with the class set to receive 8hrs of training facilitated by a mental health professional who maintains techniques and industry best practices to support each member as they work through the curriculum and reflect on personally held values, thoughts, feelings and beliefs.
You can learn more about the Before Operational Stress program here: https://woundedwarriors.ca/our-programs/before-operational-stress/
