REVIEW WEEK ONE LESSON PLAN HERE

This week’s focus is on helping members understand how daily habits directly impact mental health, stress management, and long-term well-being. We encourage you to lead these conversations and create space for members to engage openly.

Set aside time during the shift or training this week to:

• Watch the Week 1 overview video together

• Discuss ways to improve sleep, nutrition, or physical activity

• Identify one realistic habit change members can commit to this week

Small, consistent changes can make a meaningful difference.

REVIEW WEEK TWO LESSON PLAN HERE

As we continue the 2026 Safety Stand Down, we move into the theme of Building a Strong Support Network. Connection is one of the strongest protective factors we have.

This week focuses on strengthening relationships with our peers, our family, and the broader fire service community, and reinforcing that no one needs to navigate challenges alone.

Set aside time during shift or training this week to:

• Listen to this week’s featured video together, or individually

• Use the discussion prompts to talk about support systems within your department

• Encourage members to identify at least one person they can reach out to when needed

REVIEW WEEK THREE LESSON PLAN HERE

The 2026 Suicide Prevention & Awareness Safety Stand Down continues into Week 3 with a focus on Knowing the Signs, recognizing the changes in a colleague that may indicate they are struggling and need support.

Firefighters don't always say, “I'm having a hard time.” Sometimes it shows up differently: withdrawing from the crew, changes in mood or behavior, increased irritability, difficulty sleeping, changes in work performance, increased substance use, or simply not seeming like themselves.

The challenge is that these signs can be easy to dismiss. We may tell ourselves someone is just having a bad week, dealing with things at home, or going through a rough patch.

We encourage you to lead these conversations and create space for members to engage openly.

Set aside time during the shift or training this week to:

• Review the Week 3 video and materials together

• Discuss common signs of stress, burnout, or crisis

• Talk through real-life scenarios and how you would respond

REVIEW WEEK FOUR LESSON PLAN HERE

Week Four’s lesson focuses on practical ways to approach someone who may be struggling, listen without judgment, and help connect them with the support they need.

During any shift or on any call, if we see a colleague in danger, we don't wait and hope someone else steps in. We act. The same should be true when a member of our fire family is struggling.

Recognizing that something is wrong is important, but it only becomes meaningful when we're willing to act.

Set aside time during the shift or training this week to:

• Watch the Week 4 video together and discuss what stood out.

• Practice starting the conversation. What will you say if you noticed a colleague wasn't themselves?

• Talk through what comes next.

• Discuss how we can listen, support, and help connect a member to additional resources when needed?

• Review the resources available through your department, peer support program, and crisis services.

This final week focuses on an important question: When you or someone you care about needs more support, do you know where to turn?

Firefighters face unique challenges. The cumulative effects of traumatic incidents, occupational stress, disrupted sleep, family pressures, grief, and years of exposure to difficult calls can add up over time. Sometimes support from a friend, family member, or peer isn’t enough.

Knowing where to find professional help and knowing how to access it before a situation becomes a crisis is part of taking care of ourselves and our crews.

Seeking support isn't a failure to handle the job. It's another way of taking responsibility for yourself, your family, and the people who count on you.

Start the Conversation - Set aside time during your shift this week to:

• Watch this week's video together and review the resources available to firefighters.

• Know where to find confidential support and how to access care when you need it.

• Look for care that understands the fire service.

• A clinician who understands the culture, demands, and experiences of firefighters can provide a different level of support.

Know what resources are available to you now. Don't wait until someone is in crisis to figure out where to turn.