"Toggle It" is becoming a firehouse word when Bernalillo County Fire & Rescue Members are confronted with situations and emotions that make it difficult to be everyone's favorite hero...Firefighter. When I, as the Bernalillo County Fire Chief, wanted to add emotional wellness to the department's Wellness/Fitness Program I had several demands for the chosen program. First of all, it had to be available 24/7 so the member could have access whenever he/she felt the need. Firefighter's work 24 hour shifts and are confronted with other people's worse times anytime during that shift.
It also had to be individualized as no two people have the same set of triggers for emotional distress. One member may have lost a parent to a cardiac event and then responds irrationally after caring for a patient complaining of chest pain and trouble breathing. While yet, another may be dealing with financial dismay and just can't quite put the emotions in place to give 100% while at work.
I also wanted a program that was founded on measurable medical standards and offered the firefighter not only a usable program but education in emotional distress. I relate it to the old proverb, "If you gave a man a fish, he eats for a day. If you teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime." Knowing why and how our minds think and react to different stimulus is important in acknowledging those feelings so we can then deal with them and become healthy, once again.
"Toggle It" was the program that met all of BCFD's needs. Laurie and Allan have been very helpful, professional and supportive. Laurie completed three training sessions for each of the paid shifts and came in on a Saturday to present it to our volunteer section. Each member (210) was provided with the Toggle It CD, Instruction Booklet and CEU quiz. Although the training was mandatory for all members (paid Firefighters, Volunteers and Admin Staff) the use of the program is completely up to the member. The future success of this program will be teaching advance techniques to twelve members so they can assist as department liaisons similar to Peer Fitness Trainers on the physical side of wellness. This will enable us provide extra support from within the department and to better handle events that may have otherwise triggered the Critical Incident Stress Team.
I highly support and recommend "Toggle It" to other Public Safety Departments and Government Programs aimed at turning our emotional weakness into well-balanced manageable strengths. Everyone likes desserts, and hey, what is stressed spelled backwords? Desserts. "Toggle It" just may be the icing on the cake.
