strategicplan2019-final - Flipbook - Page 19
But the ill-effects of stress (both mental and physical) is
not unique to the Department’s firefighting workforce.
While frontline first responders directly experience the
trauma, destruction, and death caused by all-hazard
response, everyone in the Department is susceptible.
Long hours, increasing workload, and less opportunity for
physical activity for all employees can increase mental and
physical stress and lead to reduced effectiveness. Physical illness, injuries, stress,
trauma, and other factors—no matter what the job--can contribute to an overall
deterioration of behavioral health.
The terms “mental health” and “behavioral health” are often used interchangeably. Behavioral health includes not only ways of promoting well-being by preventing or intervening in mental illness, such as depression or anxiety, but also includes
an objective to prevent or intervene in substance abuse and other addictions. The
Department must focus on all of its employees and develop strategies to combat
job stressors and improve the overall health of its workforce.
Physical fitness is one’s ability to carry out tasks
without undue fatigue. Physical fitness includes
cardiorespiratory endurance, muscle strength,
muscle endurance, flexibility, and body composition. Emergency response and resource management project work are physically demanding. Nonresponse staff have different but no less significant
challenges and physical demands. Everyone benefits from improved and maintained physical fitness.
Safety is the protection from danger, harm, injury,
death, and the reduction of risk when exposed to harmful elements. A safety culture is exceedingly important where risk is high and often unpredictable. CAL FIRE
employees are responders to some of the riskiest conditions known. It is imperative that the Department embrace and promote a culture of safety, risk identification and reduction.
Behavioral health, physical fitness, and safety can affect the short and long term
health of anyone. Everyone has different reactions to the stresses of the job. The
Department must focus on awareness and monitoring, early intervention, and
prevention to reduce the negative effects from each, with the intent of improving
everyone’s overall well-being.
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