Addressing Compassion Fatigue & Burnout in the Fire Service

Estimated watch time: 1 hr 22 minutes

Presentation Materials:

Molly Jones, LSW

Clinical Education Coordinator for Advanced Recovery Systems

Molly Jones, LSW is a Clinical Education Coordinator for Advanced Recovery Systems. In this role, Molly is responsible for providing clinical education and training to various client populations, treatment providers, and other behavioral health stakeholders across the country. Molly provides in-person, virtual, and on-demand behavioral health education and is able to cover a wide variety of topics under the behavioral healthcare umbrella.

Molly is a Licensed Social Worker in the State of Colorado and based out of Denver, Colorado. Prior to joining the ARS Community Outreach Team in August 2019, Molly worked in a variety of social work settings. She has worked in direct practice, counseling older adults, adolescents, high acuity clients, and other populations struggling with various mental health and substance abuse related issues, as well as a Permanency Planning Worker for the Department of Human Services, Child Welfare Division in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Molly has worked in the field of Social Work since 2013, and holds the philosophy that all individuals, with proper support and awareness, possess the ability to learn, change, and grow to achieve the highest quality of life and sense of self possible.

Molly earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Family Life Education with a focus on Gerontology from the University of Central Oklahoma and a Masters of Social Work from the University of Oklahoma. In her time with Advanced Recovery Systems, Molly has primarily worked with first responders and their families, as well as the International Association of Fire Fighters and various municipalities across North America. Molly is the Peer Team Clinician for the IAFF’s 9th District Peer Support Team, has been featured in news publications and mental health podcasts, and provided clinical oversight to local non-profits in Colorado.

Ari Brooks, LCSW

Mental Health Director at the Emergency Responders Health Center in Boise, ID

Ari Brooks, LCSW is the Mental Health Director at the Emergency Responders Health Center in Boise, ID. Her work centers on helping clients who have experienced trauma, chronic stress overload, and related conditions such as anxiety and depression. Ari’s clients have included firefighters, police officers, EMTs/paramedics, and military veterans. She also has an extensive background working with those who have endured emotional, verbal, physical, and sexual abuse as children or adults.

Objectives and Summary:

In the challenging world of the fire service, where the call to help others in difficult and dangerous situations is both noble and intrinsic, there lies a hidden battle that many face: the toll on mental and emotional well-being. Vicarious trauma, emotional burnout, and compassion fatigue are all-too-common conditions that can deeply affect those who selflessly serve their communities.

Join the IAFF Center of Excellence and Ari Brooks, LCSW for an enlightening webinar on best practices for addressing compassion fatigue and burnout. During this presentation, we aim to shed light on the impacts of workplace stress and trauma on overall health and well-being. We’ll delve into the intricacies of vicarious trauma and explore the telltale signs of emotional burnout and compassion fatigue that can silently erode one’s passion for helping others.

Through this presentation, attendees will gain the knowledge and tools needed to understand their individual areas of risk, learn to recognize the warning signs for compassion fatigue and burnout, and best practices for learning how to address these conditions proactively through the cultivation of resilience and regular self-care. Ari will share evidence-based insights and practical strategies to prevent and treat these common conditions, and drawing on her years of experience in the field of mental health and first responder support. Attendees will learn how to create a personalized plan to lower their risk factors and enhance emotional well-being.

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or new to the fire service, this webinar is designed to empower attendees with the tools necessary to navigate the challenges of the profession while safeguarding personal well-being.

Objectives:

Understand the impact of compassion fatigue and burnout through the exploration of how workplace stress and exposure to traumatic events can have profound effects on physical, mental, and emotional health.
Identify areas of risk by learning how to recognize the early signs of vicarious trauma, emotional burnout, and compassion fatigue within yourself and your peers.
Create a resilience plan that is practical and tailored to your unique reduce risks and personal resilience.
Cultivate a practice of self-care that can easily be integrated into your daily routine to enhance emotional wellness and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Identify helpful resources, support networks, and gain additional education on mental health and well-being specific to the fire service.

Presentation Materials:

About the Presenters