SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Oregon Fire Marshal is pleased to announce Friday the launch of the Oregon Fire Department Health and Safety Collaborative, a pioneering program that will strengthen support systems for firefighters across Oregon. He said he thought so.
The full text of the announcement is below.
This collaboration is an important commitment to the health and safety of the men and women who serve in fire departments across the state and will ensure they receive the support they need in their critical role.
Firefighting is a demanding and demanding profession that poses many physical, psychological, and environmental challenges. Recognizing these challenges, the Oregon Fire Marshal's Office Health and Safety Collaborative is building a robust support system by coordinating resources and providing dedicated support to fire personnel.
The program is built on a forward-thinking framework designed to address the diverse needs of all Oregon fire personnel. The collaboration aims to foster resilient and thriving firefighting communities, focusing on critical areas such as behavioral health, physical health, cancer prevention, and incident safety.
The core of the collaboration includes:
- Establish a forum for equal contributions from all partners.
- Coordinate efforts across different agencies.
- Represents a wide range of perspectives within the Oregon Fire Marshal's Office.
By following these principles, OSFM hopes to foster a culture of collaboration, support, and continuous improvement.
“The Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office Health and Safety Collaborative is a proactive approach to confronting the unique challenges firefighters face,” said Fire Marshal Mariana Lewis-Temple of the Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office. “This collaboration aims not only to address immediate needs, but also to build the foundation for long-term resilience and excellence in the fire service.”
This collaboration serves as a hub of resources to simplify access to the support services you need. Fire personnel seeking assistance with behavioral health services, cancer prevention strategies, or incident safety procedures will find valuable resources and guidance.
The effort to form the partnership and its success was guided by a subcommittee of the Governor's Fire Policy Council. On Thursday, the group was recognized for its work by the Oregon Fire Chiefs Association with the 2024 Award of Excellence.
As the collaboration moves forward, the Oregon Fire Marshal's Office is committed to continually evaluating and enhancing our support systems to ensure we can effectively respond to the evolving needs of Oregon's firefighting community.
We invite all firefighters and partners to join us in this important program. Together, we can ensure a safer and healthier future for all firefighters and the communities they protect.
For more information about the Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office Health and Safety Collaboration, visit www.oregon.gov/osfm/healthandsafety.
