Broward County, Fla., Kicks off National Surviving the Fire Service Conference

Several hundred firefighters from around Florida and 10 states around the country gathered at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale , FL., for the inaugural Surviving the Fire Service conference.

Tim Beaumont, a Milwaukee County lieutenant, opened with his personal story of his struggles in the fire service. Jim Brinkley, from the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) headquarters, discussed the work and efforts of the association to support behavioral health needs of firefighters.

Captain Frank Leto from FDNY shared the emphasis and work of FDNY on peer support along with Chief Dan DeGryse from Chicago Fire Department on his department's suicide prevention programs.

Dr. Sam Buser, chief psychologist of Houston Fire Department shared his department's response to suicides and behavioral health through peer support. NSU faculty and graduate students discussed those work in Broward County with the fire service.

Chief Todd LeDuc, Dr Kim Durham of NSU and Broward Mayor Marty Kiar welcomed the attendees to Broward and commended everyone for joining this first inaugural conference and learning about difficult issues of behavioral health in the fire service.

Proceeds from the conference benefited the trust fund for the two children of a fallen Broward firefighter.