NFFF Events
2025 Thought Leadership Essay Contest
Event Details
Mental health Challenges in the Fire Service
Mental health challenges in the fire service are often described as ‘well known’ and widespread. But do we truly understand what the most pressing mental health issues are, why they persist, or how the mental health of firefighters compares to the general population?
"As we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns—the ones we don't know we don't know. And if one looks throughout the history of our country and other free countries, it is the latter category that tends to be the difficult ones.”
This year’s essay challenges you to examine what makes the fire service unique in its struggles with mental health. Is it the nature of the work, the culture, or larger societal factors? Gaining a deeper understanding of the “why” is the first step toward finding meaningful solutions to these ongoing challenges.
Prizes
- 1st place – $3,000
- 2nd place – $2,000
- 3rd place – $1,000
Recognition on Inside Darley video series, Darley Times newsletter, Darley media distribution, partner publications, and the InService Podcast
Essay Format
- Length: 3 4- pages maximum (not including the cover page)
- Format: 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced, 1-inch margins
- File format: Submit as a PDF
- Naming Convention: Save as [LastName_FirstName_Essay2025].pdf
- Cover Page: Include name, title, and contact information (not counted in page total)
Recognition on Inside Darley video series, Darley Times newsletter, Darley media distribution, partner publications, and the InService Podcast
Prompt
Understanding the “Why” Behind Mental Health Struggles in the Fire Service: Are Firefighters Really So Unique?
Grading Rubric
There are four criteria for essay grading, ranked and weighted by importance.
- Specific Solutions Offered – Do you present specific recommendations for change? How innovative, impactful, and viable are the proposed solutions?
- Potential Impact on the Fire Service – Can this impact the fire service in the short and long term? Can this concept move the fire service forward in a positive manner?
- Quality of Writing – How is the essay structure, vocabulary, readability, and overall authorship?
- Intangibles – Is this exciting? Does it challenge preexisting assumptions? Does it invoke a thought-provoking discussion? Is the core message courageous?
