How One Rural Firehall is Experimenting with Neurofeedback

After writing the blog Calm Minds Save Lives in May 2024, I was moved by the outpouring of support from NeurOptimal® practitioners from Halifax to Sydney. They expressed a strong desire to help first responders and their allies discover the power of NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback and make it more accessible. Thanks to their dedication, real change is underway.

That said, resistance to change is real. Many first responders are so busy they struggle to see how neurofeedback could fit into their stations. This short blog aims to show how simple it can be.

I live in rural Ontario, where most firefighters are volunteers - farmers, tradespeople, and professionals who answer the call alongside their day jobs. They face the same mental strain as full-time firefighters but often without benefits or mental health resources. This is the story of Warwick, Ontario's firehall, where one fire chief took action.

How One Rural Firehall is Experimenting with Neurofeedback

After writing the blog Calm Minds Save Lives in May 2024, I was moved by the outpouring of support from NeurOptimal® practitioners from Halifax to Sydney. They expressed a strong desire to help first responders and their allies discover the power of NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback and make it more accessible. Thanks to their dedication, real change is underway.

That said, resistance to change is real. Many first responders are so busy they struggle to see how neurofeedback could fit into their stations. This short blog aims to show how simple it can be.

I live in rural Ontario, where most firefighters are volunteers - farmers, tradespeople, and professionals who answer the call alongside their day jobs. They face the same mental strain as full-time firefighters but often without benefits or mental health resources. This is the story of Warwick, Ontario's firehall, where one fire chief took action.

A Fire Chief Takes the Lead

Brad Goodhall, Warwick’s fire chief, is a champion for mental health. Always looking for innovative solutions, he rented a NeurOptimal® system for a month. One firefighter, Shawn, was all in, committing to regular sessions - key to getting the most out of the training.

I showed them how to set it up:

Placing the sensors - 2 minutes
Running a session - 2 minutes
Removing the sensors - 1 minute

That was it. When it was Shawn’s turn, Brad instinctively took over, setting him up without hesitation. I had planned to visit weekly, but they had it under control. First responders are quick learners - they’re wired for action.

A Fire Chief Takes the Lead

Brad Goodhall, Warwick’s fire chief, is a champion for mental health. Always looking for innovative solutions, he rented a NeurOptimal® system for a month. One firefighter, Shawn, was all in, committing to regular sessions - key to getting the most out of the training.

I showed them how to set it up:

Placing the sensors - 2 minutes
Running a session - 2 minutes
Removing the sensors - 1 minute

That was it. When it was Shawn’s turn, Brad instinctively took over, setting him up without hesitation. I had planned to visit weekly, but they had it under control. First responders are quick learners - they’re wired for action.

Neurofeedback in Action

A few weeks in, I dropped by and found Shawn at their meeting table, mid-session, surrounded by paperwork. As a supervisor at a major firm, he realized he could multitask while benefiting from the sessions.

One of my favorite stories? One day, while hooked up, a fire call came in. Within seconds, Shawn removed the sensors and was out the door. Did he have some conductive paste still in his hair? Probably, but his helmet covered it! When I asked how he benefited, Shawn simply said: “My job can be stressful, and the sessions have really helped me to relax. I felt great actually!”

That’s all it took. Within days, the team was thinking of others in the community who could benefit. That’s small-town spirit - looking out for each other.

Neurofeedback in Action

A few weeks in, I dropped by and found Shawn at their meeting table, mid-session, surrounded by paperwork. As a supervisor at a major firm, he realized he could multitask while benefiting from the sessions.

One of my favorite stories? One day, while hooked up, a fire call came in. Within seconds, Shawn removed the sensors and was out the door. Did he have some conductive paste still in his hair? Probably, but his helmet covered it! When I asked how he benefited, Shawn simply said: “My job can be stressful, and the sessions have really helped me to relax. I felt great actually!”

That’s all it took. Within days, the team was thinking of others in the community who could benefit. That’s small-town spirit - looking out for each other.

A Growing Movement

Not everyone used the system, but word spread. They re-rented it in January so more firefighters could try it. It’s a process: one person benefits, shares their experience, and the message spreads - "It’s worth a try... nothing to lose, so much to gain."

Larger stations with full-time staff may need a bit more planning, but not much. A firehall in Boulder is considering a more structured pilot project with 10 participants and a dedicated quiet corner for sessions. That’s all it takes - just a little space and maybe a simple schedule if demand grows.

The takeaway? Neurofeedback isn’t complicated. It fits into the rhythm of a station, whether rural or urban. And as more first responders give it a try, the impact will only grow.