Mental Wellness for the Forest Service: Best Practices and Real-World Application for Wildland Firefighters
Kellie O'Dare, Ph.D
Larry Grubbs
Dr. Kellie O’Dare of UCF RESTORES and State Safety Officer Larry Grubbs of the Florida Forest Service will present an integrated session focused on how they have built and sustained statewide mental wellness programs in the Florida Forest Service. Drawing on both research and field experience, the presentation will highlight evidence-informed best practices for designing and implementing comprehensive behavioral health initiatives that address the unique occupational stressors faced by wildland firefighters nationwide.
Dr. O’Dare will provide an overview of best practice models, peer support frameworks, and data-driven strategies that have shown effectiveness and address the unique stressors and occupational demands faced by wildland firefighters. She will also discuss common implementation challenges and key elements for long-term sustainability. Safety Officer Grubbs will offer a practical perspective, sharing how the Florida Forest Service has operationalized mental wellness across the agency. His segment will highlight successful practices, leadership engagement, and the importance of occupationally aligned, peer-driven support in building a resilient workforce.
Together, the presenters will underscore the importance of bringing behavioral health to the forefront for forestry and wildland fire personnel—ensuring these critical responders are not left behind in broader wellness efforts. This session is designed for agency leaders, peer team members, behavioral health providers, and others committed to strengthening mental health in the wildland fire service.
About Dr. Kellie O'Dare
Dr. Kellie O’Dare is a dedicated researcher, educator, and advocate with expertise in first responder health and wellness, health policy, and organizational resilience. As the Founder and Director of the 2nd Alarm Project and Assistant Professor of Health Policy and Management with the Institute of Public Health at Florida A&M University, Dr. O’Dare has led innovative initiatives to support the mental health and resilience of first responders and their families.
With a Ph.D. in Social Work and a passion for community-driven solutions, her work bridges academic research and practical applications, fostering transformative changes in behavioral health access and support systems. She has significant experience conceptualizing, designing, implementing, and evaluating large-scale quantitative, geospatial, and mixed-method research projects in both academic and applied settings.
Dr. O’Dare’s impactful efforts have garnered $8 million in external funding and contributed to significant advancements in public health and social work practice. Dr. O’Dare has meaningful personal linkages to the first responder community. She is the niece of Shawn T. O’Dare, firefighter/paramedic killed in the Line of Duty in Miami-Dade County, and the spouse of a current Florida professional firefighter/paramedic.
About Larry Grubbs
Larry Grubbs is currently the State Safety Officer for the Florida Forest Service and has 32 years of fire and EMS experience. In his role as State Safety Officer, he is directly responsible for Occupational safety, EMS program, Health/Fitness, Peer Support, Mental Wellness and Firefighter safety for the Florida Forest Service.
Larry has worked extensively in Florida and throughout the United States in emergency response and incident management as a Complex (Type 1) Incident Safety Officer with a specialty in Incident/Accident Investigation, Medical Unit Leader and Operations. In addition to being a Certified Wildland Firefighter, Larry has also cross-training in structural Firefighting/EMT/USAR.
Larry currently represents all 50 states on the National Wildfire Coordinating Group’s Incident Emergency Medical Committee and remains active in training as a certified Florida Fire Service Instructor.
