BCWS Boot Camp near Merritt (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

WILDFIRE SEASON 2024

BC Wildfire Service ensuring recruits have access to critical mental health supports

Apr 30, 2024 | 5:30 PM

MERRITT, B.C. — The importance of mental health is likely not your first thought when thinking about the men and women who protect our province each summer from wildfires. But it’s a thought at the forefront of minds across the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) for the last number of years.

“Help set us up to meet climate change. We are going to have greater and greater exposure in years ahead, so we need to have our staff not just physically fit and prepared with the right tools but we also have to have the right tools in our head and in our heart too,” said Erik Hanson, BCWS Critical Incident Stress Management program manager.

Hanson is attending boot camp this week in Merritt, making a presentation to the new recruits before they head out for a hectic summer.

“We are redefining what tough and brave is,” said Hanson. “Tough and brave means coming to work with all of your parts, your kryptonite and your superpowers. If you leave both of those at home you come to work as a mere mortal. I think when you can realize how to manage your kryptonite then all of a sudden you unlock all of these superpowers.”

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While the newest firefighters have not yet had their mettle tested, they were impressed with the focus on the mental health side of the job.

“Especially after last year, we had a lot of stuff happen and they were really good about making sure we had the resources available for us if we were ever feeling uncomfortable or if we were ever feeling unsafe or just unstable,” said new recruit Dante Orion Cimolia who worked as a contractor with BC Wildfire last year.

“When you have the camaraderie of everyone around you and really boosting and talking about it and really have an emphasis on mental health. I think it’s awesome that BC Wildfire is making a step in that direction,” added Gavin Rauser.

Throughout workplaces, the culture and attitude towards mental health has been changing, and the wildfire service is not any different in that sense.

“This being my eleventh fire season I have seen a really good change in our organization to promote mental health and giving us the tools to deal with it without just internalizing it and then dealing with burnout and then eventually quitting. We want to give all of our workers the tools to be able to put out fires and come home happy,” said Initial Attack Crew Supervisor Kara Galbraith.

The BC Wildfire Service says its crew members have constant access to supports throughout their careers, with a goal of ensuring they are in the best space possible for the important work they do for all British Columbians.

“It’s about breaking that stigma. Tough and strong means being mentally capable of dealing with your heart and mind is at. And that doesn’t mean you have to handle or solve it all in here,” said Hanson pointing to his chest. “It means you can reach out to a community and to the supports that we have in place already.”