Are you fire fit?

BY BEQUI LIVINGSTON

As wildfires ravaged the Texas Panhandle in early 2024, and the Sierra Nevadas were under blizzard conditions, it was hard to believe wildfire season had already arrived. As temperatures rise, relative humidity decreases, and the winds begin to blow, all it takes is one small ignition to bring a wildfire to full-force fruition.

Are you ready for wildfire season 2024? As a homeowner, living in the wildland urban interface, have you managed the defensible space around your home and property? Is your go-bag ready with all your important documents, contacts, and medications? Do you have a safety plan that includes ensuring that your children and pets will be taken care of if you can’t make it home? Do you have an escape route and a safety zone? You need to plan now. Don’t wait until it’s too late, and the flames are beckoning at your front door.

How can you become the healthiest version of you, and be the best wildland fire responder you can be?

As a wildland fire responder, are you prepared for wildfire season, and not just physically? Although your physical fitness is of great importance, what about your overall wellbeing? What about your mental and emotional preparedness? Have you been acquiring and practicing skills and tools, such as mindfulness, movement, and breathing? Are you finding healthy coping skills that you can use when stuff hits the fan? What about a plan if you, or someone else, needs support during a crisis? Do you have a list of safe, professional resources? And – importantly – do you know how to unwind and destress during and after a hectic assignment? What else can you do to ensure that you are managing your mental and emotional wellness?

What about relationally? We all know how challenging wildland fire can be to our most valued relationships. Have you developed a plan of action for the people you love most? Have you communicated the effects of being a wildfire responder, and what comes with it? Do your loved ones know where to turn for support, if needed? Our line of work doesn’t just affect us, it affects everyone around us. What if something were to happen to you on the job? Does your family know what to do, and where to turn for help?

How can you practice selfcare? What can you do to better prepare for what’s to come? How can you find healthy modalities and tools to help manage your stress? Can you muster the courage to speak your truth, with authenticity, even when others may not want to listen to what you have to say? What about setting healthy boundaries, on and off the job, including learning how to say no? What about asking for help, when needed, and then being able to receive it? These steps should be included in your personal wellbeing plan. How can you become the healthiest version of you, and be the best wildland fire responder you can be?

Here are a few practices that you can incorporate now, and take them into wildfire season:

Learn and practice mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR): This is a simple yet profound tool that can be used any time, in any location, including the fireline. Check out The Mindful Center, http://themindfulcenter. com
Somatic movement: This movement program works with your autonomic nervous system to help you destress and mitigate injury by helping the body find its natural movement pattern. Visit Somatic Experiencing International, https://traumahealing.org
Breathwork: Although breathing is essential to life, health and wellness, certain breathing techniques are useful for mitigating stress and helping an overwhelmed nervous system find balance. Visit Breathwork for First Responders at www.breatheology.com/breathwork-forfirst-responders/

Only you can take care of yourself before, during, and after wildfire season. May you be safe, may you be healthy, and may you always listen to the wisdom of your nervous system and your heart, because they will always tell you the truth.