With over 1.5 million veterans in our state, The Fire Watch is training businesses and organizations across Florida on veteran suicide prevention. The community based approach activates bystanders by providing a greater understanding of the military community's culture, warning signs, and local resources available to help. The empowering training by this 501c3 is free, takes approximately 1 hour, and employees can complete it on-line or in group settings at the worksite. Today, our Tampa Bay Chamber proudly became a certified Veteran Safe Place after hosting the 1 hour training for staff. The February 26 training at the Chamber's Downtown Tampa office also made available to Chamber member companies.
Brianne Brown, an Air Force Veteran, is based in the Tampa Bay region and serves as a trainer. She became an advocate after transitioning out of the military. This Veteran Safe Place (VSP) program dates back to 2021, designed specifically for organizations to educate, train and empower their employees to be able to identify and support a veteran in crisis.
In the crowded board room of the Chamber's office in Downtown Tampa, participants arrived unsure of what to expect. Despite the topic's heavy nature, the videos, discussion and Q&A between trainer and trainees was engaging in a positive, inspiring tone. "Suicide is preventable. That’s why we are taking a community based approach. We want as many people as possible to take this training," said Brown. "It’s free – available online at TheFireWatch.org or we go into the place of business and facilitate the training for you. This is for anyone who cares about a military veteran."
Hillsborough County has one of the highest veteran suicide rate in the state - 29 veteran suicides per every 100,000 veterans. Male veterans are affected at a significantly higher rate. Data shows that only 5% of veterans who died by suicide were female but experts are tracking a worrisome trend. Since the global pandemic in 2020, there's been a 72% increase in the number of suicides by female veterans - in 2021 reaching the highest point in the last 10 years. "For all my veterans out there, I want you to know that you are not alone," said Brown before leaving the Chamber office. "You have a whole community standing watch with you and for you."
To request a trainer for your organization, visit https://www.thefirewatch.org/veteran-safe-places
