Wellness Matters: Taking Care of Those Who Serve
Volunteer firefighters dedicate countless hours protecting their communities. We train hard, respond at all hours, and put others first without hesitation. But while we work to save lives and property, we must also remember something just as important: taking care of ourselves.
Wellness is not a luxury — it is a responsibility. We owe it to our fellow firefighters, our departments, and most importantly, our families, to stay healthy and go home safely after every call.
The Importance of Firefighter Wellness
The demands of the fire service are both physical and emotional. Long hours, high-stress incidents, traumatic calls, disrupted sleep, and physical strain all take a toll over time. Without proper support, these stressors can impact mental health, physical health, relationships, and overall job performance.
Prioritizing wellness helps:
· Reduce stress and burnout
· Improve focus and decision-making
· Strengthen physical resilience
· Support mental and emotional health
· Build stronger teams
· Ensure we are fit for duty and ready to serve
Fortunately, Nebraska firefighters have access to valuable tools designed specifically to support firefighter wellness.
Cordico App from Lexipol – Available to Nebraska Firefighters
The Nebraska State Volunteer Firefighters Association provides access to the Cordico wellness app powered by Lexipol — a confidential, comprehensive wellness resource built specifically for first responders.
The Cordico app offers:
· Confidential self-assessment for mental wellness
· Stress and resilience training
· Sleep improvement resources
· Family support tools
· Peer support guidance
· Fitness and nutrition information
· Trauma and crisis resources
· Suicide prevention support
This tool is designed to be private and easy to use, allowing firefighters to access support anytime, anywhere.
How to Access the Cordico App
The Cordico app and login information can be found on the NSVFA website.
To access:
1. Visit the NSVFA website.
2. Navigate to the wellness resources section. (https://static1.squarespace.com/static/62912ea0d2a22d377c180282/t/68b89395e73eff1cf6763334/1756926869054/Lexipol+Wellness+App+for+Nebraska+Fire+Departments+%282%29.pdf)
3. Use the provided login credentials to register and access the app.
If you have difficulty locating the login information, please contact the NSVFA office for assistance or any NSVFA board member.
Taking just a few minutes to explore the app can make a meaningful difference in managing stress and maintaining overall health.
In addition to state-level resources, the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) offers an extensive range of wellness tools and programs to support volunteer firefighters nationwide. The NVFC’s Share the Load program promotes mental health awareness by providing educational materials, suicide prevention resources, crisis support tools, and training to help recognize warning signs in fellow firefighters.
Beyond behavioral health, the NVFC also provides comprehensive health and wellness resources, including heart-health initiatives, cancer prevention and awareness materials, physical fitness and nutrition guidance, sleep health education, and safety stand-down resources. These programs help firefighters recognize early signs of stress, build resilience, reduce stigma around seeking help, strengthen department culture, and improve long-term physical and emotional health. Many of these resources are free and available online through the NVFC website (Home | NVFC).
Building a Culture of Wellness
Wellness is not just an individual effort — it is a team commitment. We must look out for one another the same way we do on the fireground.
That means:
· Checking in on each other after difficult calls
· Encouraging open conversations about stress and mental health
· Promoting physical fitness within our departments
· Supporting members who seek help
· Using the tools available to us
Strength is not measured by how much stress we can carry alone. True strength is recognizing when to lean on the resources and support systems available to us.
Our Commitment to Each Other and Our Families
Every time we respond to a call, our families trust that we will come home. Staying mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy is part of honoring that trust.
By using resources like the Cordico app through the NSVFA and the wellness programs offered by NVFC, we take proactive steps toward protecting not only our communities — but ourselves.
We owe it to our fellow firefighters to stay healthy.
We owe it to our departments to stay ready.
And we owe it to our families to go home.
Let’s make wellness a priority in every Nebraska volunteer fire department.
As always, if you have a meeting or event you would like me to attend, please reach out and I will make every effort to be there.
Please take note of the following upcoming events designed to educate, inspire, and empower our membership:
NEMSA Super Conference
March 13-15, 2026
Younes Conference Center – Kearney, NE
Fire Chief’s Leadership Symposium
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Holthus Convention Center – York, NE
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Registration details are available at:
https://www.nsvfa.org/fire-chiefs-leadership-symposium
NSVFA Fire School Registration
Opens early March. Early registration is encouraged to secure preferred classes. Information is available at: https://www.nsvfa.org/nebraska-fire-school
NSVFA Fire School
May 15–17, 2026
As we continue moving forward, please remember that this is your association. Your voice, your ideas, and your involvement matter. If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions, I encourage you to reach out to me or any board member. We are here to serve you and to advocate on your behalf.
Until we meet again, stay safe and healthy.
BRENDA JENNY
President, Nebraska State Volunteer Firefighters Association