Building Resiliency Fire

In these pages, we’ll explore how the mind adapts to chronic stress, the impact of sleep deprivation, the fire service’s complicated relationship with alcohol, and why firefighters often engage in risky behaviors outside of work. We’ll break down the science of stress, trauma, and resilience in a way that makes sense for first responders. Most importantly, we’ll offer actionable, no-nonsense strategies that fit into the demanding reality of a firefighter’s life.Dr. Parsons is a clinical psychologist in private practice. He works closely with first responders, active military personnel, military veterans, and security professionals. He is passionate about removing the stigma associated with mental health work in these populations and removing obstacles to high-quality mental health care. His background includes military law enforcement, civilian firefighting and paramedicine, and private security.