On Thursday, NCF hosted 50 individuals representing various local responder organizations to discuss the implementation of resilience-building systems. The aim is to prevent burnout and long-term traumatic stress among teams, particularly EMTs, paramedics, and other first responders who may experience posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms due to repeated exposure to human pain and suffering.
NCF seeks to support local responders and outdoor professionals by providing tools, training, and guidance through the Responder Alliance program based in Boulder, Colorado. These training sessions are designed to contribute to the development of vital and healthy workplace cultures.
Among the attendees were representatives from Whitefish Mountain Ski Patrol, Flathead Avalanche Center, Flathead Nordic Backcountry Patrol, Whitefish and Kalispell Police and Fire Departments, Glacier National Park, Flathead National Forest, and Kalispell School District.
We express our gratitude to the National Forest Service, Responder Alliance, and MacKenzie River Pizza for their collaboration in facilitating this important conversation in the valley.