Firefighter Wellness
At FUSEE, we understand that firefighter safety includes caring for physical and mental health. Recognizing the critical challenges faced by the wildland fire community, we are committed to addressing this vital issue head-on.
Mental Health Providers and Resources for Wildland Firefighters
These providers specialize in working with wildland firefighters
Created in partnership with Close the Gap Wellness
Please contact emily@fusee.org to add yourself or your program to this list.
Resources
We’re curating a comprehensive, up-to-date list of mental health and mindfulness resources tailored for wildland firefighters. Check back often for new updates, and feel free to share additional resources with us.
FireUp Well-being, List of specialized mental health professionals and services specifically for those in fire and forestry
Wildland Firefighter Foundation Mental Health Program
Grassroots Wildland Firefighters Mental Health Survey and Policy Advocacy
Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network Wellbeing Resources Archive
Close the Gap Wellness, Counselor and former Wildland Firefighter Dani Shedden, Instagram
Hotshot Wellness, An Oregon-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting wildland firefighters through tailored wellness initiatives
Return to Our Senses, Sensory awareness work and resources by Lee Klinger Lesser
Eric Marsh Foundation, Funding to assist acute crises such as housing, food, funerals, next-of-kin needs; mental health support
Webinar Recordings and Podcast episodes:
Life with Fire Podcast Ep. 10 “Off-Season Struggles—Understanding Wildland Firefighter Mental Health”
The Anchor Point Podcast “Overcoming Adversity: The Journey To Mental Health And Healing With Jay Walker”
Mountain Mind Tricks Podcast ”Anne Martin: Wildland Firefighter and Mental Health Advocate”
The Hotshot Wake Up ”Mental Health in the Wildfire Environment with Dani Shedden”
Hotshot Wellness’ 2025 Wildland Fire Virtual Wellness Summit Webinar (starts at 1:00:00) Anne Martin: Practical Mental Health Skills and Habits, Injuries on the Job, Seasonal Resets, Communication, and Resiliency
Wildland Firefighter Retreats
FUSEE assisted with organizing and sponsoring a wildland firefighter mindfulness retreat in January 2025, in collaboration with facilitators that have been organizing similar retreats at Tassajara Zen Center since 2020.
We hosted 24 wildland firefighters at Great Vow Zen Monastery in Clatskanie, OR for 6 days. We intend to make this an annual event to assist more firefighters with community connection, positive coping skills, and healing from trauma and grief from the nature of their work.
Read blog posts from attendees, FUSEE’s board president, Mike, and FUSEE’s Administrative Manager, Emily. Watch Helena’s presentation about the retreat at Hotshot Wellness’ 2025 Wildland Fire Virtual Wellness Summit (starts at 1:04:30).
Photo credit: Michael Sherman
Appreciations to our sponsors and in-kind donors: Zen Community of Oregon, The Bess Foundation, FireUp, Pema Chödrön Foundation, and Rite in the Rain.
