Mental health outcomes and psychosocial risk factors in wildland firefighters and support staff

Wildfire seasons are increasing in intensity and duration, compounding the demands of an already challenging occupation. Wildland firefighters are a unique first responder population not yet adequately represented in the literature or in first responder mental health services. Existing research on wildland firefighters focuses almost exclusively on the experiences of direct suppression staff, thereby excluding a significant portion of the workforce involved in support and management roles. This research addresses that gap by assessing mental health outcomes and psychosocial risk factors in BC Wildfire Service wildland firefighters and support staff during the 2023 fire season. High prevalence rates of probable PTSD (26%), probable major depressive disorder (30%), probable generalized anxiety disorder (30%), high stress (27%), high suicide risk (34%), and high rates of moderate- to high-risk tobacco (40%), alcohol (23%), cannabis (33%) and caffeine use (83%) were identified. Logistic regression was used to identify predictive factors at the individual, positional, and organizational levels for each outcome variable. A distinct combination of variables significantly predicted each mental health outcome. Negative mental health outcomes were most often predicted by existing mental health diagnoses and significant prior trauma at the individual level and by excess job demands, lack of career development, and inadequate work/life balance at the organizational level.