The Fire Service Psychology Association (FSPA) recognizes outstanding contributions by psychologists who work closely with the fire service. The following criteria for nominating a psychologist for FSPA’s Psychologist of the Year Award should be used in the context of the five domains of psychology: assessment, intervention, industrial/organizational, operations, and consultation.
- Impact: The psychologist should have made a significant impact in the field of fire service psychology. This could include research, advocacy, or practical applications that benefit firefighters and their mental health.
- Service: Demonstrated outstanding service to the fire service community. This might involve providing training, counseling, or other forms of support to firefighters and their families.
- Scholarly Contributions: Contributions to the field through peer-reviewed scholarly work, publications, or presentations. These contributions should advance our understanding of firefighter mental health and well-being (e.g., assessments normed on firefighters, industrial/organizational psychology articles, labor/management communications, the impact of staffing).
- Education: Efforts to educate both psychologists and fire service leaders. Bridging the gap between professional psychology and the fire service is a key goal, so nominees should actively engage in educational activities.
- Practice: Excellence in psychological practice related to one or more of the following domains of psychology: assessment, intervention, industrial/organizational psychology, operations, or consultation.
The FSPA aims to create a collaborative environment where psychologists and fire service leaders work together to “build a bridge between professional psychology and the fire service” to better address mental health challenges faced by firefighters. FSPA’s annual conference provides a platform for learning, sharing knowledge, and fostering understanding between these two fields. If you’re passionate about this intersection, consider participating in their events and contributing to this important cause.
