The Train-the-Trainer (TTT) workshop prepares and certifies in-house firefighters to become Peer Instructors to deliver the Resilient Minds 8-hour course to their fire department.
This model best serves large fire departments (75 members or more) that require multiple Peer Instructors for their department.
The sessions are co-instructed by a certified firefighter instructor and certified CMHA Ontario instructor.
The maximum number of participants per TTT is 15.
There is no additional licensing fee. The only additional cost is the purchase of participant workbooks ($28 per participant + shipping).
The sessions are delivered in person or virtually:
For online
workshops are delivered through four days (6 hours each day). The schedule consists of three consecutive days of training with at least one day in between for participants to practice their material before reconvening on the last day.
For in-person
workshops are delivered three full days in a row.
TTT includes:
- Comprehensive overview of the latest research on psychological injury, stress, trauma, and resilience
- A trauma-informed curriculum and toolkit to recognize early signs of psychological stress in self, peers, and citizens and actionable strategies for support
- An interactive instructor manual featuring over 50 group activities and tailored resources for firefighters
- Scheduled presentation practice followed by a formal assessment for certification
- Facilitation by two subject-matter expert master trainers with ongoing mentorship and support from CMHA and the Resilient Minds team
What fire chiefs are saying:
“As leaders, we must do all that we can to provide training and tools for all of our staff when it comes to mental health and potential stress-related injuries. We talk about how important prevention and education is when it comes to reducing the impact of fires, but it is equally, if not more important, when protecting our firefighters, dispatchers, investigators, and chief officers. The Resilient Minds program lays a foundation of education and awareness for our department – we talk more openly and look out for each other.”
Peer Instructor Qualifications:
- Experience in adult education and training (e.g., Fire Instructor 1)
- Demonstrated ability to deliver content and effectively engage a group
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, and promoter and advocate of mental health
- Collaborative approach with professionalism in representing CMHA
- Preference for candidates involved in Critical Incident Stress Management teams or peer support roles
Expectations:
- Full attendance at the 24-hour TTT workshop is mandatory. Participant must complete all hours to earn certification
- Access and use of the Resilient Minds platform for delivering courses
Certification Process:
After completing TTT, participants must deliver one course before receiving formal certification as a peer instructor. Successful assessment of course evaluations will demonstrate ability to facilitate the program content effectively.
Note: In rare cases, a candidate may receive a status of ‘Not Ready”. In this case, the individual will have the opportunity to re-enroll in another TTT session.