“The Federal Government’s commitment to research can help to improve the fire service if the front line is appropriately engaged,” says the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs President and Edmonton Fire Chief, Ken Block.
Representing the country’s 3500 fire departments, the Association had asked the Federal Government to support mental health resilience training in first responders; research to better inform building code changes, and preservation of the volunteer firefighter tax credit.
cognitive behavior therapy
In the area of mental health, CAFC is pleased to be part of the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT) which will receive $20 M over 5 years for research into PTSD incidence and 10 M over 5 years to develop an internet-based cognitive behavior therapy application.
“While we are proud to be part of this research collaboration, we are keen to see the research move swiftly into practice and address a very real and established issue in our departments,” adds Chief Block. “We would still like to see a mental health resilience training program in every department as a minimum standard resource.”
The CAFC was also pleased to see increased funding capacity for the National Research Council where the Canadian Building Codes Commission is housed, as well as the Budget’s focus on gender equality and diversity. These are key issues for the fire service as well.