Partner & Spouse Survey

The Wildland Firefighter Partner/Spouse Perspective Survey was developed to measure the impacts a career as a federal Wildland Firefighter (WFF) has on both firefighters and their families. With increased awareness & legislative reform effective support can be developed to match the demands of our fire seasons.

Impacts of the Profession as Recognized by Partners/Spouses

Stressors

Wildland Firefighter: WFF
Partner/spouse of WFF: Respondent

60.2% report WFF's have been impacted by an incident at work that resulted in mental health challenges.

59.9% of respondents feel they are secondary to the commitments of their partner's job while 43.4% feel they're left to operate without a partner for 7+ months per year.

“The most difficult part...we always came second...fire always came first.”

— Respondent

Current Stress Responses

Respondent

(reported often/regularly)

  • 78.1% feel stress due to WFF's absence

  • 69.1% feel concerned about health of WFF

  • 73.1% worry about possibility of tragic accident on fireline impacting them

  • 11.5% feel confident if something were to happen to WFF while on duty, they'll be taken care of by agency

  • 49.3% say maybe/yes they've considered separating from WFF due to strain on relationship from demands of job

WFF

(reported by respondents as behaviors reported often/regularly in WFF during fire season while off duty)

  • 56.6% answer calls/texts related to work

  • 55.4% spend time on a screen

  • 51.3% express anger/frustration about work

  • 46.1% experience inadequate/poor quality sleep

  • 46.4% spend quality time with family/friends

  • 44.9% retreat, rest, recover

  • 37.8% exhibit a sense of calm and ease while at home often/regularly

“If a fire doesn't kill my husband, the stress & anxiety will.”

— Respondent

What’s Missing?

“The support & resources aren't there..."

—Respondent

Bar graph depicting responses to how supportive different measures are, with categories like 'Less demanding work schedule,' 'Access to childcare,' 'Access to affordable housing,' 'Easy access to mental health professionals,' 'Higher pay rate to reduce financial stress,' and 'Year-round access to health insurance for seasonal fire employees.' The responses range from 'Not Helpful' to 'Extremely Helpful.'

More details can be found here:

What Respondents are Saying

"This season is the fastest I've seen him burnout mentally & emotionally."

— Respondent

"My biggest challenge, in a household where we both fight fire, is that I may be expected to give up my career to carry and then raise a child."

— Respondent

"The mental health issues seem to have compounded over time with the nature of the job but also the loss of friends and co-workers to fire related deaths and suicide."

— Respondent

"We've given too much, for too long, for too little."

— Respondent

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story can make all the difference.