Tuesday, January 15, 2019 ~ LANGFORD
~ by Mary P Brooke, West Shore Voice News
At an event in the fire engine bay at Langford Fire Hall #1 today, Langford Fire Rescue Chief Chris Aubrey proudly opened the gathering with his announcement of the signing of a new partnership agreement between Langford Fire Rescue and Wounded Warriors Canada (WWC).
WWC Executive Director Scott Maxwell had made the trek to Langford from Ontario for the announcement, including a delay being fogged-in at the Vancouver airport. It was important for him to be here, as he feels this partnership shows great leadership on the part of Langford and sets a tone for other communities to follow.
Under the new agreement, Langford Fire Rescue will share resources and identify or refer their members in need of mental health support to the programs offered by Wounded Warriors Canada.
“This is about building resiliency,” said Langford Fire Rescue Chief Chris Aubrey in his opening remarks to a group of about 20 first responders, members of the WWC team, and Langford Mayor and Langford Councillors Lanny Seaton and Norma Stewart.
“I am very proud to partner with Wounded Warriors Canada in supporting first responders, veterans and their families,” said Aubrey. “Those who are serving their communities and their country face unique mental health challenges and this partnership is a commitment that says no member is alone and we are there to support them. They never hesitate to answer the call to serve others and it is critical that we stand together to make sure our first responders and veterans have the access to resources they need to remain healthy and resilient.”
First responders are highly trained and skilled professionals who, due to the nature of their work, often face challenging situations that test their physical or mental health and safety. WWC’s approach to mental health is considered innovative in that it combines clinical best practices and evidence-informed care to create an environment for healing.
“The effects of trauma downstream are very nearly the same,” said Maxwell, whether it’s from service in a war zone or working the front lines of fire or policing.
“When it comes to firefighters and police who serve our public, we’re there for them,” said Mayor Young. “That includes educating politicians and the public as to the need,” he told the group in the fire hall.
Chief Aubrey says that the two greatest health-related career challenges for firefighters are cancer and mental health. Exposure to chemicals contributes to the added cancer risk, and dealing with urgent often shocking scenarios can impact mental health. “We maintain physical and mental well being through training, education and resources,” says Aubrey. He added that Langford has embraced the goals and objectives of what Wounded Warriors Canada stands for.
Langford Fire Rescue is a composite department comprised of career and volunteer firefighters, which allows for a balance of time, interest, skill and availability. The service is equipped to extinguish fires and provide other life-saving resources to the community.
Presently there are 11 career firefighters and 53 trained volunteers at Langford Fire Rescue, with 10 new recruits (chosen from this year’s 40 applicants). The new 2019 recruits are presently entering the annual information session that is followed by interviews and training. Volunteers receive training that costs the fire department about $18,000 per trainee, with full certification taking about three years. Volunteers at Langford Fire Rescue can indicate their hours of availability, so there is balance in their lives between work, family and volunteering.
“Business people get it,” said Young. “People of the Langford Fire Department put themselves at risk every day. This partnership with Wounded Warriors Canada is good for the community,” the mayor said at the podium. “Our community has been great” in supporting the efforts of WWC, he said.
Maxwell sees the move toward shared efforts for mental trauma support as recognizing that it takes both leadership and recognition of the health aspects. The federal government has provided some funding to WWC over the past few years. About $250,000 remains this year to be spent in the WWC budget to March 31 which is being used to roll out six or seven more Couples Overcoming PTSD Everyday (COPE) counselling program sessions before the end of March.
“In three years you’ve done an amazing job,” Mayor Stew Young said to WWC organizers in Langford today. But recognizing what it takes to run a large, growing organization, he added: “You will need more funding and hopefully the provincial and federal governments will get on board.”
WWC revenues of $5 million per year are compiled from a variety of sources including individual giving, third-party donations (including communities), corporate fundraising events, and new contracts (such as the Canadian Coast Guard). Operating funds are used to pay clinicians who operate the various counselling programs, program materials, events and administration.
More about Wounded Warriors Canada: www.woundedwarriors.ca