Mental Health America of Illinois Presents:
A Firefighters Life
Presented by Jeff Dill
DESCRIPTION This presentation involves the culture of firefighters, myths and beliefs of behavioral health and the mentality of being a firefighter. Emphases of the workshop are placed on the education of basic terminology, understanding emotional and physical stressors, addictions, suicide information, role-play, group discussion, search & rescue exercise and question/answer session with the instructor, who is a career firefighter and licensed counselor.
A search and rescue exercise will be available after the presentation for interested participants.
OBJECTIVES
- To introduce attendees to the fire service culture.
- To introduce attendees to the various emotional stressors that affects the lives of the firefighter/EMT and their families.
- To introduce some do’s and don’t when working with firefighters on a professional basis.
- Discussion of suicide, addictions, PTSD, depression, retirement, anxiety, and relationships within the EMS and fire service.
The cost of this workshop is $30. 2 CEUs are available for Social Workers and Professional Counselors. Discounted parking ($16) is available at 20 E. Randolph (Macy's Parking Garage).
About the Presenter:
Jeff Dill, Founder of Counseling Services for Firefighters (CSFF)
CSFF was established based on the tragic events that surrounded Hurricane Katrina. When speaking with firefighters who returned after serving the community of New Orleans, Jeff heard the pleas of firefighters who had a difficult time talking with counselors who did not have any firefighting experience. They became frustrated and never did seek the help they needed.
CSFF’s mission is to offer behavioral health support to firefighters, train senior fire officers and educate clinicians on the benefits of understanding the life and emotions of firefighters. www.csff.info
In 2011, Jeff founded Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance (FBHA). This organization is a 501 (3) (C). It is dedicated to educating firefighters on prevention/awareness of firefighters from taking their lives. www.ffbha.org
He travels the country holding workshops to educate firefighters about suicide prevention. FBHA is the only known organization that collects data on FF suicides across the United States as well as globally.
Jeff holds a Masters Degree in Counseling, is a Licensed Professional Counselor, and is currently a Captain at Palatine Rural Fire Protection District in Inverness, Illinois. He is a member of the American Counseling Association, Illinois Counseling Association, Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association, Illinois Fire Chiefs Association, International Association of Fire Chiefs, and Illinois Professional Firefighter’s Association, and the International Association of Fire Fighters.
About MHEP:
The Mental Health Empowerment Project (MHEP) is a series of educational presentations/trainings throughout the Chicagoland area. Presentation topics range from addictions to bullying to social emotional literacy, and other current mental health topics. The goal of MHEP is to provide mental health providers with the most up-to-date information and tools to successfully treat their clients, as well as to empower consumers to live successful and productive lives.