Share the Load™ Resources

Behavioral health is a subject not often talked about in the fire service, but it affects every department and emergency responder in some way or other. The NVFC, through its Share the Load™ Support Program, has developed a series of resources to help educate and train first responders about the importance of behavioral health and provide resources, tips, and tools to help departments, first responders, and families address these issues.

What to Expect: A Guide for New Fire Service Families (Second Edition)

Joining the volunteer fire service means a lifestyle change not only for the individual volunteer, but also for their entire family. To help family members navigate the volunteer fire service life, the NVFC has released this updated guide for spouses, children, parents, siblings, and significant others of volunteer and paid-on-call responders. It introduces family members to the basics of the volunteer firefighter life, provides guidance for keeping family relationships strong and being part of the fire department family, and contains an array of tips and resources to help first responder families adjust to this lifestyle.

Order up to 10 print copies of this guide in the NVFC store for just the cost of shipping, while supplies last.

Download the Spanish version of the guide here.

Fire Department Assessment and Communication after a Firefighter or EMT Suicide

This document provides tips to help regional, state, and national association representatives communicate with department leadership and personnel to help them deal with grief and build relationships following a firefighter or emergency responder suicide.

Psychologically Healthy Fire Departments Toolkit and Training

This implementation toolkit and supplemental training is designed to help department leaders create a psychologically healthy fire department that promotes and fosters wellbeing among their members and creates a successful, high-performing department.

Directory of Behavioral Health Professionals

This directory lists local providers who are equipped and ready to help firefighters, EMS providers, rescue workers, dispatchers, and their families.

Virtual Classroom Courses
The NVFC offers the following on-demand courses. All courses are free to NVFC members.

Webinars
The NVFC has hosted a series of webinars and roundtable talks on issues relating to responder health and well-being. Watch the recordings for free.