Mental Health and Quality of Services Provided by the Fire Brigade: Better Understanding the Potential Levers for Intervention at Work

Nina Mashali

Impact

  • This project has improved understanding of the mental and physical health challenges faced by firefighters in New Brunswick.

  • By creating a space for participants to share their experiences, valuable insights were gathered to identify specific needs and challenges within the profession.

  • Actionable recommendations tailored to the fire department’s context will be provided and implemented in the City of Moncton and potentially across New Brunswick. This will include targeted interventions will be developed for the fire department to improve mental health and the quality of services provided to the public.

  • The fire department will have the opportunity to implement interventions, such as mental health training led by psychologists, to address identified needs and promote firefighter well-being.

“Our research has provided a better overall understanding of the mental and physical health of firefighters, taking into account the specific challenges they face.”

— Nina Mashali

  • New Brunswick

  • Studentship

  • University of Moncton

  • Moncton Fire Department

  • Mitacs, iA Financial Group

  • 2024-2025

  • Workplace Mental Health

  • Firefighters

About the Project

This project aimed to identify mental and physical health challenges faced by firefighters and provide targeted interventions to improve their well-being. In collaboration with the Moncton Fire Department in New Brunswick, this research examined the connection between job demands (such as workload and emotional demands), organizational resources, mental health, and service quality among 120 firefighters. The goal of this project was to develop focused interventions aimed at enhancing working conditions and strengthening both psychological and organizational support.

Methodology

For this study, data was collected from 120 firefighters in Moncton, New Brunswick. The first part involved a presentation of the study at the training department, where fire station teams were invited to learn about the research. After each presentation, participants had the option to voluntarily complete a questionnaire in either the common room or a separate room. The second part of the study took place two months later and included semi-structured interviews with participants at their respective fire stations. These interviews, lasting up to one hour, consisted of 9 questions aimed at gathering in-depth insights into the challenges faced by firefighters. The information collected through both methods helped identify key issues and inform targeted recommendations to improve firefighter well-being and service delivery.

Findings

Key Findings from Questionnaires and Interviews:

  • High emotional demands are linked to increased mental health symptoms, such as fatigue, anxiety, and sleep disorders. This suggests that the emotional burden of firefighting is a significant risk factor for mental health challenges.

  • Heavy workloads are correlated with higher levels of stress and fatigue, emphasizing the impact of the physical and time demands of the job on firefighters’ well-being.

  • Access to organizational resources, such as support, recognition, and autonomy, helps reduce mental health symptoms and provides protection against workplace stress. These findings highlight the importance of these resources in supporting firefighters as job demands increase.

Project Outreach

This project has not yet expanded beyond New Brunswick; however, it is expected to reach other fire stations throughout the province in areas such as Edmundston, Bathurst, and Tracadie-Sheila. In addition, thesis students have utilized the modified research tool suggested in this study to examine the mental health of volunteer firefighters in Greater Moncton, NB, demonstrating the potential for expansion. There is a desire to expand this project on a national or international scale. 

Resources Created

  • A detailed report, currently in its final stages, will be presented to the fire department and shared with the firefighters with actionable recommendations tailored to the department’s context.

  • This project is a part of a future larger scale doctoral research project.

  • Presentation at the 35th Symposium of Young Researchers 2025 in Moncton, NB.

  • Presentation for the university courses at University of Moncton:

    • “Practical Work – PSYC 390”, titled “Intention to Leave Among Firefighters: The Role of Workload and Peer Social Support.” “Bachelor’s Thesis – PSYC 4900”, titled “The Association Between Recognition, Peer Social Support, and Mental Health Among Career and Volunteer Firefighters in Greater Moncton: What is the Role of Intrinsic Motivation?”.

  • Future presentation at the congrès de la Société Québécoise pour la recherche en psychologie in Saint-Sauveur, QC.