The Victoria Fire Department is partnering with the Canadian Mental Health Association to help address post-traumatic stress among first responders.
Vic Fire Department Deputy Chief Daniel Atkinson says they noticed the impact 3 or 4 years ago but things really deteriorated in 2016.
"What we're starting to see is something we call 'compassion fatigue,' when you turn up to a call and have to deliver Naloxone to a downed individual sometimes when their family is present, these types of incidents take a heavy toll over time."
So they have partnered with local Mental Health association, Taylor Made health, to train instructors.
"As a firefighter we're trained to respond when called upon but what we're seeing now is the impact the Fentanyl crisis is having on our members so we are providing better training up front to help with resiliency."
Victoria is the first fire department on Vancouver Island to adopt the program, and they intend to provide assistance to firefighters in other parts of the region. So far 13 members have been trained and they are able to provide training to other firefighters in the Capital region.