This training will help attendees better understand compassion fatigue, burnout and how a career in the fire service may make it more likely that someone will experience these conditions.

Compassion fatigue is characterized by emotional and physical exhaustion that causes the diminished ability to empathize with others. This type of fatigue is common in helping professions and can influence a responder’s ability to effectively and compassionately care for the community, as well as their families. Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by chronic stress, overwhelming demands at work, and poor self-care. Burnout is a treatable condition, but if left unmanaged, can lead to even greater amounts of stress and possibly a diagnosable behavioral health condition.

Compassion fatigue and burnout are not uncommon amongst fire service members, making it crucial that these men and women have an adequate understanding of how each condition develops, learn how to consistently practice adaptive self-care and treatment options, should a member be challenged by either condition.