Langford Fire Rescue has partnered with the Wounded Warriors Canada to provide more support services for first responders.
Wounded Warriors Canada is a national mental health charity that provides supports and programs for veterans, first responders, and their families.
Langford Fire Rescue Chief, Chris Aubrey, says this partnership is a big deal, because first responders often face traumatic experiences while on the job.
"First responders face very similar challenges that military members do in the things that they see and the things that they do in the course of their duties. So, I'm very excited to be able to have our members establish this partnership, to support Wounded Warriors in their events, and as well have our members have access to the many programs they have, to make sure that our members are remaining healthy and safe from things that they see and do on fire scenes"
Wounded Warriors will allow Langford firefighter's to access supports like group counselling; before-operational-deployment, which helps prepare first responders for what they will have to deal with when they arrive on the scene of a fire or car crash; support animals; and couples counselling.
Wounded Warriors will also benefit, with additional promotion and support for their charity from the firefighters. Chief Aubrey says "Anytime they are promoting an event, we'll have our firefighters side by side with them. Including things like the annual run that they do up and down the Island. We'll have, obviously, a leg through Langford that our members will be supporting and promoting all in the hope to raise money to provide these programs for military members and first responder families."
Langford Fire Rescue will be the first fire department in British Columbia to partner with Wounded Warriors Canada.