As fire departments prepare for Safety Stand Down 2025, artificial intelligence offers a practical way to streamline planning, generate messaging and reinforce the week’s focus on behavioral health.
With the theme “Break the Stigma: Behavioral Health RESET,” departments can use AI to quickly create social media posts, internal emails, event agendas and peer support resources tailored to their crews. These AI-generated assets can help leaders deliver consistent, stigma-reducing messages while saving time and expanding engagement.
Need some help? We’ve got you covered. Check out these ChatGPT prompt suggestions below that you can use verbatim or tweak to your department’s specific needs.
SSD 2025 planning prompts
To support effective engagement during Safety Stand Down Week, department leaders can use AI to generate customized plans and events aligned with the behavioral health RESET theme. The following prompts are designed to help you develop low-cost, practical activities that encourage participation, reduce stigma and prioritize firefighter wellness.
[💡Before you get started: When working with AI, the more detail and direction you provide, the better response you will receive back. If the ideas generated are too costly or complicated for your department’s abilities, let your AI tool know; it will adjust its responses based on your feedback.]
1. Event planning
Prompt: List 5 low-cost event ideas a fire department can implement during Safety Stand Down Week to support behavioral health and reduce stigma.
Sample response:
- Host a peer support roundtable over lunch
- Invite a local counselor for a Q&A session
- Share short daily behavioral health videos during roll call
- Set up a “reset room” with quiet space and wellness materials
- Run a gratitude board where members can post shout-outs
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2. Training schedule brainstorm
Prompt: Create a detailed one-week training schedule for Safety Stand Down focused on the planned daily themes that are suitable for a combination fire department.
Sample: Monday – Recognize:
- Roll call briefing: How to identify stress, anxiety, and early burnout
- 10-minute video: Behavioral health red flags in firefighters
- Shift activity: Self-assessment checklist (anonymous, optional)
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Tuesday – Educate:
- EAP and peer support overview from HR or wellness coordinator
- Group discussion: Common myths about firefighter mental health
- Resource distribution: Wallet cards with crisis and support contacts
Wednesday – Strategies:
- Station-level workshop: Coping tools for on- and off-duty stress
- Demonstration: Guided breathing or mindfulness reset
- Optional handout: Building personal resilience plans
Thursday – Empower:
- Officer-led session: How to start a behavioral health conversation
- Scenario-based roleplay: Supporting a struggling crew member
- Message board: “What helps you reset?” anonymous input
Friday – Training:
- Joint drill: Integrate wellness check-ins into after-action reviews
- Instructor-led module: Psychological first aid for responders
- End-of-week debrief: What we learned, what we’ll carry forward
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3. Panel or town hall discussion planning
Prompt: Generate a checklist for planning a department-wide behavioral health town hall or panel discussion during Safety Stand Down 2025.
Sample:
- Identify 2-3 internal or external speakers
- Reserve apparatus bay or training room
- Prepare anonymous question box
- Publicize date and time via shift boards and email
- Offer light refreshments to encourage attendance
4. Interactive wellness activity brainstorm
Prompt: Suggest 3 hands-on or interactive behavioral wellness activities that crews can do at the station level during Safety Stand Down Week.
Sample:
- Journal one positive call or moment per shift
- Participate in a breathing or mindfulness exercise
- Use roleplay to practice checking in with a peer
5. Mental health professional partnership proposal
Prompt: Write a proposal outline for partnering with local mental health professionals to speak with crews during Safety Stand Down.
Sample:
- Objective: Break down barriers to behavioral health access
- Partner: County health department clinician
- Format: 20-minute presentation + open Q&A
- Timing: Schedule by shift to ensure full coverage
- Follow-up: Share contact info and optional resource handout
🎧 LISTEN | Better Every Shift: How to hit the ‘RESET’ button on behavioral health
6. Questions for behavioral health discussion circle
Prompt: List key questions for a behavioral health discussion circle or peer-led debrief session during Safety Stand Down Week.
Sample:
- What has helped you reset after a hard call?
- When did you first realize mental health mattered in this job?
- What would make it easier to ask for help in our department?
7. Family-inclusive event planning
Prompt: Create a planning guide for hosting a family-inclusive event focused on behavioral health awareness and resources for firefighter families.
Sample:
- Invite: Firefighter families, partners, spouses
- Activities: Presentation on stress signs at home, EAP overview
- Kids: Separate area with coloring or safety ed station
- Materials: Take-home packets with contacts and support tips
READ NEXT | 6 ways to protect your relationships as a first responder
8. SSD Week schedule assistance
Prompt: Draft a daily Safety Stand Down agenda that balances behavioral health education with operational readiness for a volunteer department.
Sample:
- 6:30–7:00 PM: Quick meal and briefing
- 7:00–7:30 PM: Behavioral health video or speaker
- 7:30–8:00 PM: Training drill or tabletop scenario
- 8:00–8:15 PM: Peer check-in or open floor discussion
9. Brainstorm self-assessment initiatives
Prompt: Generate an action plan for implementing a behavioral health self-assessment initiative during Safety Stand Down Week.
Sample:
- Distribute a short, anonymous self-check tool
- Provide QR code for optional follow-up resources
- Encourage members to reflect, not report
- Offer opt-in peer support follow-up
10. Generate SSD 2025 wrap-up activities
Prompt: List ideas for meaningful closing activities to wrap up Safety Stand Down Week and reinforce long-term support for mental wellness.
Sample:
- Group debrief to gather feedback and next steps
- Recognition of members who showed leadership in wellness
- Launch or relaunch peer support program
- Distribute printed behavioral health resource cards
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