Resiliency Training

IAFF Resiliency Training

The IAFF Resiliency Training is designed for 40 in-person participants (or 25 students in the virtual format). Through a combination of self-assessment, didactic instruction, group discussion and video, participants will gain an essential foundation for personal resiliency on and off the job.

Curriculum

The IAFF Resiliency Training includes two components: pre-course content and classroom content. Pre-course content includes an individual resiliency assessment completed online, followed by a one-hour video series on organizational resiliency. Classroom content will focus on six key concepts to gain resiliency building skills that can be applied both on and off the job.

The IAFF Resiliency Training will teach you to:

Assess your current level of individual resiliency
Respond to stress with positive, flexible thinking
Increase positive social interactions on and off shift
Experience more positive emotions during your day
Manage stress through tactical breathing, meditation and mindfulness
Challenge personal and occupational barriers to good nutrition and exercise
Build meaning and purpose in your daily life through spirituality

For more information, please contact [email protected]

International Association of Fire Fighters
Attn: Health and Safety Division
1750 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20006

Download a Program Flyer

Virtual Training

Virtual Resiliency Training

The IAFF Resiliency Training is also available as a two-day fully online training experience, broken into four to five training hours each day.

Led by three IAFF master resiliency instructors, the class is designed for 25 participants. Through a combination of self-assessment, traditional instruction, video, group discussion and skills practice, participants will gain an essential foundation for personal resiliency on and off the job.

The IAFF Virtual Resiliency Training is hosted through Zoom and is designed to be a highly interactive training experience without leaving your home. Students will participate verbally through their webcam, using their chat box and by responding to polls.

Curriculum

The curriculum for the IAFF Virtual Resiliency Training is identical to the in-person training and includes two components: pre-course content and virtual classroom content. Pre-course content includes an individual resiliency assessment completed online during registration, followed by a one-hour video series on organizational resiliency. Virtual classroom content will focus on six key concepts to gain resiliency-building skills that can be applied both on and off the job. Each individual student will be mailed a hardcopy student manual and materials prior to the class.

The IAFF Resiliency Training will teach you to:

Assess your current level of individual resiliency
Respond to stressful situations with positive, flexible thinking
Increase your positive social interaction on and off shift
Experience more positive emotions during your day
Manage stress through tactical breathing, meditation and mindfulness
Challenge personal and occupational barriers to good nutrition and exercise
Build meaning and purpose in your daily life through spirituality

Pre-Course Content

Participants are required to complete an individual resiliency assessment through the registration process online, which consists of the two assessment questionnaires listed below. Assessment results are explored in the classroom training:
- The Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS)
- The Connor Davidson Resiliency Scale (CD-RISC)

Participants are asked to watch a one-hour video series, which provides an overview of classroom training and an introduction to the concept of organizational resiliency. Anyone can view the IAFF Resiliency Training video overview – registration for the in-person class is not required.

Host a Training

In-Person Training

Scheduling
The eight-hour training can be scheduled for any weekday beginning at 8:00 a.m., 8:30 a.m. or 9:00 a.m. Weekend training requests will be considered. The IAFF strives to accommodate requested training dates based on instructor availability. To ensure enough lead time for preparations, please request dates at least three months in advance. To schedule the IAFF Resiliency Training for your local or department, complete the IAFF Resiliency Training Request Form and email it to [email protected].

Host Site Responsibilities
Any IAFF-affiliated department can serve as a host site. Host responsibilities:

Arrange for training space with tables to seat a minimum of 40 people and an instructor’s table at the front of the room. The room must be free of distractions and at a comfortable temperature.
Supply training equipment, including LCD projector, screen, computer, sound, dry erase board or flip chart and markers.
Sign a contract with the IAFF and pay the full training fee in advance.
Identify one person to serve as the point of contact (POC). This person secures a training space, navigates the contract-signing process, handles registration, communicates with participants and oversees other logistics.
Suggest lunch options so that participants can finish lunch within the one-hour break each day.

IAFF Responsibilities:

Provide a one-day training on resiliency in the fire service
Arrange for two instructors to deliver the training and pay all instructor-related expenses (e.g., travel, hotel).
Provide guidance on meeting logistics.
Supply and ship student manuals and handouts to registered participants.
Provide the host a customized announcement of the IAFF Resiliency Training date, location, time and point of contact.
Provide access to pre-course materials, to include the IAFF Resiliency Training overview video series.
Send course completion certifications to participant.

Attendees
Fire service personnel of any rank and position – active or retired – may participate in the training. In addition, host sites may choose to invite other relevant community members (e.g., EAP, local behavioral health providers, chaplains, researchers) to expose these non-fire personnel to fire fighter and EMS wellness training. Certificates will be awarded once the participant completes the final online training evaluation.

Virtual Training

Scheduling
The two-day virtual training can be scheduled for any two consecutive weekdays with the local start time desired by the host organization. Weekend training requests will be considered. The IAFF strives to accommodate requested training dates based on instructor availability. To ensure enough lead time for preparations, please request dates at least three months in advance. To schedule the IAFF Virtual Resiliency Training for your local or department, complete the IAFF Virtual Resiliency Training Request Form and email it to [email protected].

Host Site Responsibilities
Any IAFF-affiliated department can serve as a host site. Host responsibilities:

Sign a contract with the IAFF and pay the full training fee in advance, no later than one month before the training date.
Identify one person to serve as the point of contact (POC). The POC is responsible for getting the contract signed by the appropriate IAFF local or department officer and returning it to the IAFF in timely manner.
Share the unique registration link with desired participants.

Individual Student Responsibilities:

Students are strongly encouraged to participate off shift from a remote and quiet location. Each student is required to have a reliable internet connection.
Each student is required to attend the training from an individual computer with a webcam and microphone. Students are not permitted to join from cell phones, iPads or tablets.
Students may not share a computer during the training.
Students may not join the training from more than one device.

IAFF Responsibilities:

Provide a two-day virtual training on resiliency in the fire service on a secure online platform.
Arrange for three instructors to deliver the training and pay all instructor-related expenses.
Supply and ship student manuals and handouts to each individually registered participant at the address they designate.
Provide the host a customized flyer, announcing the training date, time and point of contact to register.
Provide access to pre-course materials, to include the IAFF Resiliency Training overview video series.
Provide students the Zoom link to access the two-day training.
Send completion certifications to participants who have completed the training.

Certificates will be awarded once the participant completes the final online training evaluation.

For additional information, contact [email protected].

Cost of Training

In-Person Training

The cost of the in-person training is $6,750. This fee includes all training materials, completion certificates, instructors’ time, travel and hotel expenses.

If a host would like to hold the one-day training on consecutive days to reach a larger group, discounted pricing is reflected below. Payment is due no later than one month before the training date:

One class: $6,750 (40 students)
Two consecutive classes: $11,000 (80 students)
Three consecutive classes: $13,500 (120 students)

Virtual Training

The cost of the two-day virtual training is $3,625 for 25 students, paid by the host organization.

The IAFF is also working on a delivery model that would allow students to register, pay and attend the training as an individual, not through a host organization. Sign up to be notified of scheduled trainings and pricing.

Find a Training

In-Person Trainings

Trainings are hosted by an IAFF local or affiliated fire department. Because host sites typically choose to limit attendance to their own IAFF local or neighboring departments, the upcoming training schedule is not posted online.

Occasionally, a host site has space available for outside participants. The IAFF maintains a list of those who have expressed interest in learning when class openings occur. Notification is typically sent to the list within a few weeks of the training date.

Individuals who want to participate in the training at another host site must: (1) obtain the approval of their local president; (2) register and communicate directly with the host point of contact; and (3) be responsible for travel expenses and any registration fee charged by the host.

Virtual Trainings

There are two ways to attend a virtual training:

Through Your Organization:
The IAFF Virtual Resiliency Training can be hosted by an IAFF local or affiliated fire department, and participation in the training is limited to those the host organization invites. If your local or department is interested in hosting a virtual training, please complete the IAFF Virtual Resiliency Training Request Form and email it to [email protected].
As An Individual:
The IAFF Virtual Resiliency Training will also be hosted by IAFF headquarters on limited number of dates. These trainings are open to all IAFF members and fire service personnel. Check back here for upcoming training dates or sign up here to be notified of scheduled trainings.

Become an Instructor

The IAFF Resiliency Training is delivered by master IAFF peer support instructors. You must serve as an IAFF peer support instructor before becoming an IAFF resiliency instructor. Master peer support instructors are appointed by the General President.

The IAFF accepts applications to become a peer support training instructor on a rolling basis, but may not expand its instructor roster every year.

For qualifications and requirements, see the Peer Support Training Program Instructor Application.