National First Responder PTSD Prevention Awareness Campaign
First Responder PTSD Prevention starts with workplace safety.
Traumatic exposure is a foreseeable hazard of public safety work. Yet efforts to address PTSD often focus on recognizing symptoms, seeking treatment, and supporting first responders after exposure.
These efforts are essential. But prevention must also begin before harm occurs.The American Board of First Responder Behavioral Healthcare (FRBH) established its National First Responder PTSD Prevention Awareness Campaign to advance recognition of traumatic exposure as a workplace hazard and PTSD prevention as an organizational responsibility.
Traumatic exposure is a foreseeable hazard of public safety work. Yet efforts to address PTSD often focus on recognizing symptoms, seeking treatment, and supporting first responders after exposure.
These efforts are essential. But prevention must also begin before harm occurs.The American Board of First Responder Behavioral Healthcare (FRBH) established its National First Responder PTSD Prevention Awareness Campaign to advance recognition of traumatic exposure as a workplace hazard and PTSD prevention as an organizational responsibility.
Why This Campaign Matters
Public safety organizations recognize many hazards associated with the work, including smoke, extreme heat, hazardous substances, and roadway dangers.
Traumatic exposure is also a foreseeable occupational hazard.
Many states recognize PTSD as a work-related injury among first responders. While these laws address the consequences of occupational exposure, recognizing the hazard that can contribute to PTSD is an important starting point for prevention.
Recognizing the hazard is the starting point for prevention.
Traumatic exposure is also a foreseeable occupational hazard.
Many states recognize PTSD as a work-related injury among first responders. While these laws address the consequences of occupational exposure, recognizing the hazard that can contribute to PTSD is an important starting point for prevention.
Recognizing the hazard is the starting point for prevention.
Three Principles of Prevention Awareness
1. Recognize the Hazard
Traumatic exposure can occur in the course of public safety duties and can contribute to occupational PTSD. Recognizing this exposure as a workplace hazard is foundational to prevention.
2. Recognize Organizational Responsibility
Protecting personnel from foreseeable occupational hazards is an organizational responsibility. PTSD prevention should not rest solely on individual awareness, resilience, or willingness to seek help.
3. Advance Prevention Before Harm
PTSD prevention should begin before first responders develop symptoms, receive a diagnosis, or request assistance. Employee assistance, peer support, and behavioral health care remain essential, but they do not replace prevention through workplace safety.
Across Public Safety
The campaign focuses on six public safety disciplines:
☑ Fire Service
☑ Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
☑ Law Enforcement
☑ Public Safety Communications / Dispatch
☑ Corrections
☑ Wildland Fire
Although duties and work environments differ, the principle remains the same: first responder PTSD prevention starts with workplace safety.
☑ Fire Service
☑ Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
☑ Law Enforcement
☑ Public Safety Communications / Dispatch
☑ Corrections
☑ Wildland Fire
Although duties and work environments differ, the principle remains the same: first responder PTSD prevention starts with workplace safety.
Help Advance Awareness
Changing how occupational PTSD prevention is understood begins with awareness.
Public safety leaders, policymakers, professional associations, labor organizations, first responders, and members of the public can help advance the conversation.
Learn. Share. Bring PTSD Prevention Into the Workplace Safety Conversation.
☑ Learn: Explore FRBH's free educational resources on traumatic exposure, occupational PTSD, and workplace safety.
☑ Share: Distribute campaign messages and fact sheets within your organization and professional networks.
☑ Start the Conversation: Encourage recognition of traumatic exposure as a workplace hazard in discussions about public safety and occupational health.
Explore Free Educational Resources →
Public safety leaders, policymakers, professional associations, labor organizations, first responders, and members of the public can help advance the conversation.
Learn. Share. Bring PTSD Prevention Into the Workplace Safety Conversation.
☑ Learn: Explore FRBH's free educational resources on traumatic exposure, occupational PTSD, and workplace safety.
☑ Share: Distribute campaign messages and fact sheets within your organization and professional networks.
☑ Start the Conversation: Encourage recognition of traumatic exposure as a workplace hazard in discussions about public safety and occupational health.
Explore Free Educational Resources →
SCOPE: FRBH is an independent national nonprofit advancing first responder PTSD prevention through education and advocacy. FRBH does not provide clinical care, consulting, training, certification, accreditation, or implementation services, and does not endorse commercial products or services.