BLAINE COUNTY, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — Wildland firefighters experienced all the snow-based recreation Sun Valley has to offer while also addressing mental health concerns associated with the job.
The event took place Jan. 25-30 and was made possible by a local organization, Higher Ground, in partnership with Hotshot Wellness.
Higher Ground works with veterans and first responders by combining outdoor recreation, such as skiing or hunting, with therapeutic practices.
In late January, they launched a pilot program to provide these services to wildland firefighters.
Justin DeMoss, director of operations for Hotshot Wellness, said wildland firefighters struggle with mental health.
“We have a 2.5 to 4 times higher rate of suicide than the national average,” DeMoss said. “Our rates of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and substance abuse are pretty staggering.”
DeMoss said that wildland firefighters work for many months of the year and sometimes work 16- to 20-hour days. The limited time to relax or seek mental health support is why the group partnered with Higher Ground to provide firefighters with a therapeutic recreation retreat in the Wood River Valley.
“Each day started with some kind of mindful movement, so something breath-based to get them grounded, ready for the day,” said Alaina Wilson, director of veteran and first-responder programs for Higher Ground. “Then we would head to the hills. They would either ski or snowboard based on their preference and past experience.”
The firefighters would also go into town and bowl, play sled hockey and enjoy other activities.
Wilson said that, because wildland firefighter work is seasonal, the two organizations chose to hold the program in January to accommodate busy schedules.
“A lot of the programs that we run throughout the year, we can’t capture wildland firefighters because they’re out protecting all of us, fighting fire. And the fire seasons are getting longer, more demanding, the resources are more stretched thin,” Wilson said.
Fourteen wildland firefighters participated in the program. DeMoss said that it was an excellent opportunity to remind them that help is always available.
Wilson said they plan to hold the program for wildland firefighters again next year.
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