First Responder Safety Training (FiRST)

As a result of chronic exposures to traumatic and stressful events, first responders are at elevated risk for experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health problems. Resilience training can reduce the risk for developing mental health symptoms in first responders. The National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences and the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration developed the Worker Resilience Training (WRT) program - a 4-hour interactive workshop to educate responders on the effects of traumatic exposures, PTSD and ways to increase adaptive coping resources and promote resilience. The investigators completed a randomized clinical trial (RCT) of the WRT for active responders (n = 167). Results indicated that the WRT, as compared to a waitlist control group, helped prevent the development of PTSD and depression symptoms, and improved important resilience indicators (i.e., healthy lifestyle behaviors, stress management, physical activity) over the course of three months. The proposed multi-site RCT seeks to build on our initial study by conducting a Stage III efficacy trial of the WRT workshop in N=800 first responders in New York (NY) and Texas (TX). Our specific aims are: Aim 1. To evaluate the efficacy of the WRT program for improving resilience indicators, defined as health promoting lifestyle behaviors, stress management and physical activity, and improving perceived resilience over the course of one year. Aim 2. To evaluate whether the WRT program serves to prevent the development or worsening of psychological symptoms and impairments in functioning over the course of one year among those first responders who are exposed to traumatic events after participation in the study workshop. Aim 3. To identify the target treatment mechanisms of the WRT for preserving mental and occupational health outcomes and functioning over the course of one year in first responders who are exposed to traumatic events post-workshop. Aim 4. To gather qualitative data to further inform a future effectiveness trial including perceptions about the use and potential impact of peer leaders delivering the program content, and perceptions about mode of program delivery via open-ended questions at follow-up. The investigators will use a cluster RCT design and multi-modal assessments including self-report measures, a web-based stress reactivity performance task, and real-time accelerometry. Participants in both conditions will also receive a booster session at 3 months post workshop to reinforce skills and intervention knowledge. This study will contribute to our understanding of how resilience training may serve to protect the mental health and functioning of first responders. This study has important clinical and public health implications, including preserving/strengthening mental health and reducing overall personal and financial costs. This study also takes a research to practice approach by working collaboratively with fire departments and EMS organizations in NY and TX. If successful, the investigators will work with these leaders to develop a method for annual WRT trainings to foster resilience and promote well-being long-term for first responders.

This study seeks to build on our initial study by conducting a Stage III efficacy trial of the Worker Resilience Training (WRT) workshop and monitoring outcomes over the course of one year in N=800 first responders in NY and TX. Specifically, the investigators will employ a stratified parallel group cluster randomized clinical trial (RCT) design to evaluate the efficacy of the WRT (intervention) compared to a Fire and Medical Safety (FAMS) workshop (time-matched control) for (1) engaging resilience targets (i.e., promoting healthy behaviors, stress management and physical activity), increasing perceived resilience and preventing deterioration in mental and occupational health and functioning in first responders; and (2) to evaluate mediators of the effect of the WRT program on mental and occupational health and functioning. Participants in both conditions will also receive a booster session at 3 months post workshop. Multi-modal assessments will be used including self-report measures, daily diary survey of skills practice, a web-based stress reactivity performance task, and real-time accelerometry. Our specific aims are: Aim 1. To evaluate the efficacy of the WRT program for improving resilience indicators, defined as health promoting lifestyle behaviors, stress management and physical activity, and improving perceived resilience over the course of one year. Aim 2. To evaluate whether the WRT program serves to prevent the development or worsening of psychological symptoms and impairments in functioning over the course of one year among those first responders who are exposed to traumatic events after participation in the study workshop. Aim 3. To identify the target treatment mechanisms of the WRT (i.e., healthy lifestyle behaviors, stress management, physical activity and perceived resilience) for preserving mental and occupational health outcomes and functioning over the course of one year in first responders who are exposed to traumatic events post-workshop. Aim 4. To gather qualitative data to further inform a future effectiveness trial including perceptions about the use and potential impact of peer leaders delivering the program content, and perceptions about mode of program delivery via open-ended questions at follow-up. Overview of study design: A stratified parallel group cluster RCT is proposed to evaluate the efficacy of the WRT workshop (intervention) compared to a Fire and Medical Safety (FAMS) workshop (time-matched control) on perceived resilience, resilience targets, mental and occupational health outcomes and functioning over a one year period among first responders. The trial will be stratified by region TX and NY. The cluster unit will be the first responder organization (fire stations, private companies, hospitals, etc.) and the analysis unit will be the first responder. A cluster RCT is proposed to (1) represent the organizational structure of the occupations and therefore, account for variation between clusters and (2) Покажи пълното описание...

Inclusion Criteria: * Active first responder at fire station or EMS organization Exclusion Criteria: * NA