02/21/2026
Mental health matters!
Mental health matters—especially in the fire service. In Utah, we’ve just lost a fire chief, and it’s a painful reminder that the people who run toward everyone else’s worst day are often fighting invisible battles of their own.
We see hard calls, tragic losses, and cumulative stress that doesn’t always go away when the tones stop. Armor and dark humor can hide a lot, but they don’t heal what’s underneath. Checking in on each other isn’t “being soft”—it’s survival.
If you’re struggling, you are not weak, broken, or alone. Talk to someone you trust: a coworker, peer support, counselor, chaplain, or a family member. If you see a change in a brother or sister—pull them aside, ask the hard question, and stay with them in it. Silence is where this disease grows.
Leaders, officers, and chiefs: your people are watching how you handle stress and struggle. Make it normal to talk about counseling, sleep, trauma, and suicidal thoughts. Put mental health resources in front of your crews as often as you put tools in their hands.
If you’re in crisis, please reach out right now:
- Call or text 988 (Su***de & Crisis Lifeline)
- Reach out to a trusted friend or coworker
- Go to the nearest ER or call 911 if you’re in immediate danger
We honor those we’ve lost by fighting harder for the ones still here. Your life matters. Your story isn’t over.