Also referred to as: Mental Health Resiliency Training, Med Cert, PTSD Cert, or Mental Health Training — these all refer to the same requirement.
Anyone beginning initial firefighter training on or after January 1, 2020 must complete resilience and self-care training, as required under Public Act 19-17 [link to statute text]. This is a one-time requirement — there is no continuing education or retraining obligation tied to it once completed.
How to Meet This Requirement
There is no single required program — this is intentional, since many paths already exist. You can meet this requirement through:
- OEDM's Pre-Certification Training Program, which includes a recommended Mental Health First Aid / Resiliency training component
- Your municipal fire department's own program, the Connecticut Fire Academy, or a fire science program through a public or private university
OEDM, in conjunction with the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), determines whether a given program meets the requirement. Submit documentation of completion with your certification application — either from the program recommended through OEDM’s Pre-Certification Program, or from whichever qualifying program you've already completed.
