Our Funding Priorities:
Enhance firefighter safety and effectiveness
Invest in ways to improve the health and wellness of the firefighters
Deepen the Department’s connection with the communities it serves
Firefighter Health &
Wellness Initiatives
Suicide Prevention Efforts
Firefighters face a higher risk of suicide than line-of-duty deaths, yet the topic remains difficult to address. Seattle Fire’s Peer Support program seeks to expand its prevention efforts by sending members to the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training conference. These trained members would train fellow Seattle firefighters in suicide prevention.
Fitness Equipment for Fire Stations
As the demands on members of the Seattle Fire Department grow, the physical and mental stress of the job are greater than ever. Access to fitness equipment during shifts supports both readiness and resilience. Thanks to previous funding efforts, we've replaced weight racks at two-thirds of SFD stations. Our goal is to equip every station with the tools firefighters need to stay strong, healthy and safe.
Peer Support Therapy Dogs
In October 2021, Seattle Fire launched a pilot program to bring the therapeutic benefits that therapy dogs provide to supporting the emotional needs of department personnel. More commonly seen in the veteran community to lower effects of PTSD, the fire service is now understanding the positive impact therapy dogs can have on firefighter stress levels and increased morale.
Currently, the three SFD firefighter/dog handlers cover 100% of the costs of training, vet care, food and grooming. Donations will provide stipends to each dog handler to offset their ongoing expenses.