Addressing Compassion Fatigue & Burnout in the Fire Service

Estimated watch time: 1 hr 36 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.

 

Objectives and Summary:

This training will help attendees better understand compassion fatigue, burnout and how a career in the fire service may make it more likely that someone will experience these conditions.

Compassion fatigue is characterized by emotional and physical exhaustion that causes the diminished ability to empathize with others. This type of fatigue is common in helping professions and can influence a responder’s ability to effectively and compassionately care for the community, as well as their families. Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by chronic stress, overwhelming demands at work, and poor self-care. Burnout is a treatable condition, but if left unmanaged, can lead to even greater amounts of stress and possibly a diagnosable behavioral health condition.

Compassion fatigue and burnout are not uncommon amongst fire service members, making it crucial that these men and women have an adequate understanding of how each condition develops, learn how to consistently practice adaptive self-care and treatment options, should a member be challenged by either condition.

Objectives: 

  • What is compassion fatigue, how does it develop, and what is its impact on the person?
  • What is burnout, how does it develop, and what is its impact on the person?
  • Review prevalence of compassion fatigue and burnout amongst fire service members
  • Identify and discuss preventative strategies and treatment options for compassion fatigue and burnout 

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.

Marc Rattigan

IAFF COE Executive Director

As the executive director of the IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery, Marc Rattigan promotes positive team interactions to support exceptional patient care for IAFF Members. Marc comes from a long line of firefighters, including his father, uncle, and grandfather. A combat veteran with 21 years of service in the United States Army, Marc values teamwork and dedication to help people who are struggling with behavioral health and addiction.

 

Mike Jefferson

Local 76 Union President- Somerville and Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts