A Canadian firefighter turns his mental health crisis into a program designed to support firefighters worldwide.
Brandon Evans served as a passionate firefighter for 15 years — four years as a wildland and volunteer firefighter and 11 years as a career firefighter in Brampton, Canada. Like all firefighters, he was dedicated to helping his community and loved working alongside his department crew.
However, after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of his CrossFit gym, which he co-owned with his wife, and following a particularly difficult homicide call, Evans reached a breaking point in both his career and personal life.
“I was struggling with suppressed trauma and financial collapse, and I couldn’t hold the weight anymore,” said Evans. “I woke up one morning and realized I had hit rock bottom. That’s when I started expressing myself in ways which didn’t align with who I was. I was yelling at my children, which was a huge wake-up call. I knew I needed to make a change.”
Evans began exploring various forms of mental health therapies, including breathwork, journaling and meditation. After 12 months of dedicated effort to heal his past trauma and learn coping skills for ongoing stress, he found himself in a much better place, both mentally and physically.
Reflecting on the success of his mental health journey, Evans asked himself, 'Why aren't more firefighters taking proactive measures when it comes to their mental health?' This was when he recognized a potential gap between firefighters and the mental health resources available to them.
"We are told about these resources, and psychiatrists are available if we need them," said Evans. "But we are never taught how to recognize when we need help and how to raise our hands and actually ask for it."
Realizing the need for deeper research, Evans requested and was granted an unpaid sabbatical from his fire department. He moved his family from Canada to the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica, where he could conduct a self-funded study remotely, allowing him to reconnect with his family and nature.
“The move was more than just a change of scenery; it was about healing and growth,” said Evans.
The study involved interviewing 104 fire chiefs and leaders from five continents (Europe, North America, Africa, Australia and Asia), representing over 1.3 million firefighters globally. The goal was to understand the mental health landscape within the firefighting industry, including the efficiency of existing mental health resources and the need for proactive—not just reactive—mental health training and resources.
The overall result? According to Evans, with 88% of fire chiefs wishing there was more support for their crew’s mental health and over 64% of departments experiencing an increase of firefighters going on leave, there is still far more we, as an industry, can be doing to help, especially as we now know the rates of suicide for firefighters is nearly double that of the general population.
Evans spent 16 months compiling his findings into a comprehensive research report, which he used to develop the framework for 'Fire to Light,' a virtual step-by-step program designed to help firefighters improve their mental fitness.
The program is structured around five pillars: Intake, Mind, Body, Rest and Energy. Each pillar encourages firefighters to embark on an inward journey to understand the mind-body connection to trauma and stress.
“The program is by no means trying to take the place of a therapist or psychiatrist,” said Evans. “Its purpose is to be a mental performance guide, to assist firefighters through their mental health journey, empowering them to take control of and prioritize their well-being before anything catastrophic occurs and it’s too late.”
The program includes over 60 videos, which firefighters can unlock at their own pace, allowing them to fit the training into their demanding schedules. It also includes mental health tools and best practices, like positive affirmations, books, podcasts, breathwork exercises and more. In addition, Evans hosts a monthly live recording where he takes a deep dive into a specific mental health topic.
What makes “Fire to Light” stand out amongst other programs? It was created by firefighters for firefighters. “There's a massive level of trust and understanding. Stories are woven throughout the program which relate directly to the firefighter experience, which helps to deepen the impact of the lessons,” said Evans.
Since its launch, "Fire to Light" has gained significant interest from fire departments worldwide. "We're in the early stages of launching the program, but it's been overwhelming to see the positive response and how many departments are eager to implement it," said Evans. "It's going to make a real impact."
After receiving such a positive response, Evans decided to retire from firefighting in an effort to help improve the mental performance of firefighters globally.
“Traveling and meditation were significant parts of my life when I was younger,” he said. “Seventeen years ago, I was backpacking the world and even spent three days sitting in a room with the Dalai Lama. I somehow lost my way for a while, but I feel I’ve come full circle and am doing what I was always meant to be doing.”
Evans looks forward to continuing his journey to guiding his fellow firefighters towards stronger mental health and helping them live more fulfilling lives.
Learn more about the ‘Fire to Light’ program here!