Fire Service Suicide Risk Recognition & Peer Intervention

The MAYDAY Model™

Built in firefighter language. Used as a rapid mental-health “size-up” tool to identify early warning indicators of emotional distress, cumulative trauma injury, and elevated suicide risk — before a crisis becomes irreversible harm.

Purpose

Why MAYDAY?

Firefighters are trained to recognize smoke conditions before visible flame. The MAYDAY Model™ applies that same operational mindset to behavioral health — recognizing “pre-fire” indicators in station life, after high-impact calls, during major stressors, and through career transitions.

Operational rule: If you see MAYDAY indicators, treat it like a MAYDAY on the fireground. Do not ignore it. Do not assume someone else will handle it.

The Acronym

M A Y D A Y

M — Mood Change
A — Alcohol Increase
Y — You Isolate
D — Despair Talk
A — Anxiety Spikes
Y — You Feel Useless

Note: firefighters rarely say “I’m suicidal.” Despair language and isolation are often the closest warning signs they give.

Peer Intervention

The MAYDAY Response Protocol™

1) Remove from the crowd

Pull them aside privately. No public confrontation.

2) State what you see

Use observed behaviors (facts), not assumptions.

3) Ask directly

“Are you thinking about hurting yourself or killing yourself?”

4) Stay with them

If risk is high, do not leave them alone.

5) Connect to help

Peer support, chaplain, supervisor, EAP/clinician, and crisis resources.

Immediate crisis support

Call/Text 988 — 24/7 confidential support.

Quick crew script (1 minute):
“Listen. I’m not here to judge you. I’m here because I care about you. You haven’t seemed like yourself lately, and I’m worried. I need you to be honest with me: are you thinking about killing yourself? Because if you are, I’m staying right here and we’re getting help right now.”

Bring it to your department

Book a MAYDAY Training

Request a firefighter resiliency workshop, leadership briefing, or train-the-trainer session.

View Training Options

Downloads

Department Guide

Use the guide for internal training, peer support orientation, or leadership briefings.

Download THE MAYDAY MODEL™ (DOCX)

If you prefer PDF, upload a PDF export into /downloads/ and swap the link.

IP Notice

The MAYDAY Model™ and The MAYDAY Response Protocol™ are proprietary intellectual property of Nicholle Brock / ProActive Total Health Services. Duplication, adaptation, distribution, or commercial use without authorization is prohibited.