CA ACR174

Proclaims the week of May 19 to May 25, inclusive, as Firefighter Suicide Awareness and Prevention Stand Down Week in California.

Notes that more firefighters have died by suicide in recent years than from job-related incidents, with 75 firefighters dying by suicide in 2023 according to the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance.

Cites that one in three firefighters will experience a post-traumatic stress injury during their career and are 10 times more likely to contemplate or attempt suicide than the general public.

Urges California fire departments to replace drills and activities during this week with "kitchen table discussions" about behavioral health, suicide awareness, job impacts, available resources, and how to give and receive help.

Calls for these discussions to strengthen support networks for firefighters and emergency medical services personnel across California.