payment 2-25-19
By Paul Luizzi
Photo above by Chris Radoian (njtoaz.smugmug.com)
The behavioral health needs of the communities that we all serve is an ever-growing issue and represents one of the many challenges to a fire department’s response capability. The Goodyear (AZ) Fire Department over the last few years has noticed an increase in behavioral health needs by our firefighters. This case study will examine how we approached the behavioral health and wellness program for all our employees. To maintain a high level of job performance, uniformed personnel must be able to cope effectively and balance the emotional, physical, and mental stresses of work and personal life. If the ability to cope becomes compromised, these stresses may act to unbalance his or her mental and emotional health.
The city of Goodyear is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States with a population of more than 80,000 citizens. The city of Goodyear Fire Department employs over 100 employees, 93 of which are sworn. The Goodyear Fire Department is an “all-hazard” emergency response agency. Our members are trained and equipped to provide medical services, fire, hazardous materials mitigation, community education, and emergency management. The department participates in the Metro Phoenix Automatic Aid Regional Response System and deploys two paramedics assigned to each fire crew per shift. Clinical oversight is provided through the department along with a base hospital and an administrative medical director.
