NATIONAL VFR DAY
National VFR Day is the first Saturday in August on the National Day Calendar and we are showing support for veterans and first responders needing mental health services. Let's use National VFR Day to provide veterans, first responders, and their families with the tools and support they need to allow them to thrive as individuals and as a family.
#NATIONALVRFDAY
National VFR Day brings awareness to the mental health of all veterans and first responders. According to the Department of Homeland Security, 4.6 million career and volunteer first responders support the communities where they live. Sadly, first responders are exposed to traumatic events on a daily basis. These events lead to PTSD, depression, and other mental health issues. Today we are focusing on improving mental health for these brave men and women.
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First responders are individuals who have specialized training in emergency situations. They are the first on the scene of an accident, disaster, medical emergency, military conflict, or fire. These scenes involve critical situations that are life threatening, stressful, and sometimes frightening. Oftentimes, first responders answer one emergency and immediately run to the next. The fast-paced tempo of being on the front lines prevents them from processing and dealing with traumatic events and experiences. In fact, many internalize their experiences, which leads to problems later in life. Luckily, there are things we can all do to help veterans and first responders overcome trauma experienced while working.
Addressing Mental Health
Improving mental health among first responders begins with the organization and the people who work there. It takes a collaborative effort between leaders and coworkers to ensure a healthy work environment. Supporting one another in efforts to identify and maintain a healthy mental state is important, especially when it comes to the safety of everyone. Through education, training, and support, mental health can be addressed faster and more efficiently. The more we all work together to address issues, the easier it is to maintain a healthy mind and body.
3 WAYS TO ASSIST MENTAL HEALTH
Preparedness - Preparing and assessing new first responders for their job duties is essential. First responders work in extremely stressful environments. Performing personality and mental health tests on new employees will help determine if a person will make an excellent first responder. It's also important to provide continued mental health training and services for veteran first responders. Having protocols and action plans in place to assist first responders helps them process and deal with situations as they arise.
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Intervention - In order to maintain or increase resiliency with first responders, early intervention is necessary for strong mental health. In fact, regular mandatory training dealing with the psychological impacts of the job will help them maintain a healthy mind. Intervention is key to maintaining a line of open communication and encourages first responders to seek help.
Response time - Adequate response time to provide mental health training and services is extremely important for all first responders. During the debriefing period, options for counseling and other services should be offered and readily available. Recovery time varies from person to person. It's important to let first responders utilize any service at their own pace. Leaders should also monitor response time options for each individual. Never assume everyone fits into a standard group. Some may take longer to recover from traumatic events and some require more in-depth treatment options.
The VFR stands for Veterans and First Responders – a direct message to those who we serve. Our name is an expression of our awe in:
The Valor of these men and women.
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The Freedom they fight and sometimes die for.
The Respect they embody – and that we proudly send back in their direction.
Veterans & First Responders Organization
SUPPORTING NATIONAL VFR DAY
Our veterans and first responders put everything on the line to protect our freedom. We may never be able to repay them for their sacrifice, but we can show them appreciation for everything they have done to keep us safe.
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Show support by volunteering for an organization in your area to help veterans and first responders.
Reach out to a veteran or first responder and let them know you care.
Donate to an organization like the Veterans and First Responders Foundation. This organization is helping create a place for veterans and first responders to heal.
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Volunteer to host a fundraiser for veterans and first responders in your area.
Learn about the heroic acts of first responders.
Thank veterans and first responders for their sacrifices.
Share your veteran and first responder stories and photos on social media tagging #NationalVFRDay.
FOUNDER OF NATIONAL VFR DAY
In June 2023, National Day Calendar formed a working relationship with David Knott, Founder of the VFR (Veterans and First Responders) Foundation to celebrate National VFR Day. Each year on the first Saturday in August, we celebrate by showing support for mental health services for our veteran and first responders.
Background
Willoughby Ohio resident David Knott is the founder of the VFR (Veterans and First Responders) Foundation and the father of a police officer. The uncertainty for those who protect and serve weighs heavily on first responder families. Despite that, David is extremely proud of his son for his personal "drive to be a part of building community by ensuring that community’s safety and security." As a way to pay tribute to his son and all first responders, David decided to create National VFR Day. Not only does the day honor all first responders, it also brings attention to mental health services for our veteran and first responders.
The VFR – an organization whose mission is to take care of those that care for others and put them on a path to healing.
David Knott, Founder, Veterans and First Responders Foundation
VFR Homefront
The VFR Foundation is currently creating a state-of-the-art treatment facility to assist veterans and first responders as they overcome mental health issues. The new VFR Homefront Campus will provide first responders (primarily police, fire, and military veterans) and their families the care they need to recover from trauma. This unique facility will offer experiences in a natural environment to help them thrive as individuals and as a part of their communities. The facility will be a place for our heroes to recover, relax, and rejuvenate.
The VFR Homefront will offer service families the opportunity to experience best-in-class programming and therapeutic interventions that help families to stay connected, process trauma, and promote healing and well-being. They will maintain a dedicated focus on mental health services and support such as mental health evaluations, therapy sessions, counseling to address depression and anxiety, and much more.
