‘Break the Stigma: Behavioral Health RESET’ announced as Safety Stand Down 2025 theme

GREENBELT, Md. — The National Volunteer Fire Council announced today the theme for the 2025 Firefighter Safety Stand Down: “Break the Stigma: Behavioral Health RESET.”

The 2025 Safety Stand Down theme was selected to encourage departments and responders to help break the stigma and reset their approach through the following daily focus themes based on the mnemonic RESET: Recognize, Educate, Strategies, Empower, and Training.

This year’s Stand Down will take place June 15-21.

Held annually during the third full week of June, Safety Stand Down is a joint initiative of major fire and EMS organizations — the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Safety, Health and Survival Section, the NVFC, the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA), and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). Departments are encouraged to suspend all non-emergency operations to dedicate time for safety and wellness training, ensuring all shifts have the opportunity to participate.

Learn more about this year’s Safety Stand Down:

Firefighter Safety Stand Down

How to hit the ‘RESET’ button on behavioral health

Deputy Chief Darin Wallentine talks Safety Stand Down resources to share with your crew, plus managing “sticky” traumatic event memories

May 15, 2025 11:47 AM

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