Learn more about the

Zero Suicide Framework for the Florida Fire Service

Zero Suicide Florida Fire Service is a statewide initiative dedicated to changing how we approach suicide prevention in the fire service, moving from a focus solely on death prevention to building resiliency, connection, and purpose. This work is about helping firefighters, recruits, retirees, families, leaders, peer supporters, and clinicians build systems that develop resilience, strengthen connection, and support members before, during, and after a crisis.

Built around the nationally recognized and evidence-based Zero Suicide framework, this initiative is designed specifically for the culture, realities, and needs of the fire service. It focuses on leadership, training, early risk identification, connection to competent care, safe transitions, postvention support, and continuous improvement.

At its core, Zero Suicide Florida Fire Service is about taking care of each other. The initiative recognizes that suicide prevention cannot rely on one training, one policy, or one person. It requires a coordinated system where leaders are prepared, peers know how to respond, families are included, and members can access trusted, fire service-informed support when they need it most.

This initiative reflects a clear commitment: every member of Florida’s fire service deserves more than survival. They deserve a pathway back to connection, meaning, strength, and life.

Strategic Framework Document

The Framework

Zero Suicide Florida Fire Service was built with the Florida fire service, not simply for it. In August 2025, a statewide workgroup was convened by the Florida Division of the State Fire Marshal’s Office, led by Director JoAnne Rice, to bring together fire service leaders, behavioral health experts, peer supporters, clinicians, and statewide partners. The framework reflects the voices and lived experience of those who understand the realities of the job, creating a practical, coordinated approach focused on building resiliency, connection, and purpose across Florida’s fire service.

The framework recognizes that suicide prevention cannot rest on one person, one training, or one moment of intervention. It requires a coordinated system of care, built into the culture of the fire service, where leaders, peers, families, clinicians, and departments all have a role in helping members stay connected, supported, and able to access help when they need it.

Lead

Suicide prevention begins with leadership. Fire service leaders set the tone for a culture where taking care of each other is an expectation, not an exception. This includes making behavioral health and suicide prevention a visible priority through policy, communication, accountability, and sustained commitment.

Train

Every level of the fire service needs training that is practical, role-specific, and relevant to the realities of the job. Training helps members, officers, chiefs, families, peer supporters, and clinicians recognize risk, respond with confidence, and connect people to appropriate support.

Identify

Early identification is about noticing when someone may be struggling before a crisis escalates. This includes recognizing warning signs, changes in behavior, exposure to trauma, major life stressors, and other moments when members may need additional support.

Engage

Engagement means making sure no one feels like they have to carry the weight alone. This element focuses on strengthening connection through peer support, family involvement, trusted conversations, follow-up, and clear pathways for reaching out.

Treat

Members deserve access to care that understands both suicide risk and the culture of the fire service. This means strengthening pathways to competent, fire service-informed, suicide-specific care that is accessible, trusted, and responsive.

Transition

Transitions can be times of increased vulnerability. This includes return to work, retirement, injury, leave, disciplinary action, treatment transitions, and the aftermath of a suicide death or traumatic event. The framework helps departments support members through these moments with structure, compassion, and continuity.

Improve

This work must continue to grow and strengthen over time. Improvement means using data, feedback, lived experience, department needs, and lessons learned to refine resources, close gaps, and build a more responsive system of support.

Together, these seven elements provide a roadmap for helping Florida’s fire service move toward a stronger, more connected, and more prepared approach to suicide prevention.

Figure 1. Zero Suicide Model.

Resources by Framework Area

AREA	RESOURCE
Lead	Mission Statement: Dedicated to preventing fire service suicide through leadership, training, risk identification, access to competent care, and continuous improvement.
Train	Suicide Prevention Awareness Video
Identify	Know Your People Infographic
Engage	Stronger Together Infographic
Treat	Screenshot from Redline Rescue
Transition	Postvention SOG Postvention Quick Guide In the Wake of Loss Brochure (in-house printing) In the Wake of Loss Brochure (print shop printing)
Improve	Report: Suicide Deaths among Florida Fire Service Personnel

Partner Organizations

Florida Firefighters Safety & Health Collaborative

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