The apparent suicide of a Winnipeg firefighter — who is being remembered as a dedicated and loving husband and father — has prompted calls for more mental health supports in Manitoba.
Firefighters from across the province are rallying around the family of Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service member Preston Heinbigner, who died April 9.
“In times like this, when one member is hurting, we are all hurting,” said Tom Bilous, president of the United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg, which represents more than 1,000 active firefighters employed by the city. “This is a time to be there for this member and their family.”
The WFPS and union are working together to support Heinbigner’s family, said city spokesman David Driedger.
“We were saddened to learn of the passing of one of our WFPS members — our thoughts continue to be with their family and loved ones at this time,” he wrote in an email to the Free Press. “Our thoughts are also with all of our WFPS members. This death impacts us all.”
GOFUNDME
Firefighters from across the province are rallying around the family of Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service member Preston Heinbigner, who died April 9. Gofundme page photo of Heinbigner, his wife Shayda and their son Oslo.
Heinbigner is survived by his wife, who is pregnant, and their nearly two-year-old son, the organizer of a GoFundMe page wrote.
Heinbigner’s family is scheduled to be at the legislature when he is recognized by MLAs Wednesday. Firefighers will join them to advocate for better mental health supports for first responders.
David Pankratz, a city firefighter for eight years before becoming the NDP MLA for Waverley, will read a statement to honour his colleague.
“This Wednesday is about (the family),” said Pankratz. “As a firefighter, I wanted to make sure we show our support for the family, and make sure they feel heard.
“There are a lot of mental health issues in the community that need to be talked about more.”
The online fundraiser, set up to ease financial pressures on Heinbigner’s family, had raised about $170,000 as of Monday.
“There are a lot of mental health issues in the community that need to be talked about more.”–David Pankratz
The GoFundMe page described Heinbigner as a “dedicated and loving husband, father and friend” who has “left a hole in all the hearts who knew him.”
“Everyone will remember where they were, what they were doing and how they found out the world lost this incredible man,” the page stated. “Preston lit up every room he walked into and made everyone he interacted with feel like the most important person in the world.
“His magnetic energy and huge smile blanketed all he met with joy. He was the kindest and most genuine soul. Selfless, thoughtful, and supportive are just a few of the words to describe the incredible man the world lost on that tragic day.”
JESSICA LEE / FREE PRESS FILES
UFFW president Tom Bilous.
Flags were lowered to half-mast outside Winnipeg fire stations, following Heinbigner’s death.
Bilous said the increase in awareness and acceptance of “it’s OK to reach out for help” hasn’t kept up with the types of calls firefighters respond to.
“We see a lot of unnatural things,” he said. “When we talk to members, these are the things that seem to really have a negative effect on them.
In addition to fires, they attend traumatic scenes involving victims of violence, including children, and everything from medical calls to car crashes.
Bilous pointed to positive changes within the WFPS, including the introduction of a behavioural health unit in 2021.
He would welcome mandatory counselling sessions once per year to help create a safe space for WFPS members to discuss work and their mental health.
“We see a lot of unnatural things … When we talk to members, these are the things that seem to really have a negative effect on them.”–Tom Bilous, president of the United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg
When firefighters reach out to health-care providers for help, the initial contact is often staff who aren’t familiar with the firefighting profession, said Bilous.
“When you have someone familiar with what we do — they’re already speaking the lingo, and you can hit the ground running and get into core issues,” he said.
Driedger said the WFPS is committed to the health, safety and wellness of its employees.
The service’s peer support team and behavioural health unit, which includes a nurse and clinical psychologist, are available to help any staff who need mental health supports in the wake of Heinbigner’s death, said Driedger.
A Shared Health spokesperson said demand for mental health services in Manitoba has been rising. Virtual care and recruitment and retention of staff are among efforts to reduce wait times and improve access to services.
Manitoba has one of the highest suicide rates in Canada (13.9 per 100,000 people), according to Statistics Canada.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS
Flags fly at half-mast in front of Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service Station 3 at 337 Des Meurons Street, Monday.
In February, the province said it will add nine psychiatrist positions to Winnipeg and Selkirk, plus some in underserved rural areas, in a bid to reduce wait times for mental health care.
Psychological claims by WFPS members to the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba have increased in recent years.
The WFPS said 118 claims were made by fire members in 2023, following year-over-year increases in 2021 (135 claims) and 2022 (139 claims).
For EMS members, 83 claims were made in 2023, following totals of 75 in 2022 and 101 in 2021.
Between the two branches, there were 931 claims between 2019 and 2023, resulting in 51,688 hours lost, the WFPS said.
“Any injury to a WFPS member, whether it be psychological or physical, is one too many,” Driedger wrote.
He said psychological claims to the WCB are based on factors such as exposure to violence, burnout or other critical incidents in the workplace.
“Cumulative stress is also a factor for many members who respond to elevated call volumes, higher acuity calls, issues related to COVID-19, and community issues related to mental health and substance use,” Driedger wrote.
The city is unable to say how many sick days are related to mental health, because staff are not required to report the nature of their illness, he added.
A 2021 research paper by Firewell, a support network for Canadian firefighters, said occupational stress injury, such as post-traumatic stress disorder or major depressive or panic disorders, occurs in first responders at much higher rates due to their frequent exposure to critical incidents.
It cited a need to develop services that recognize and meet the unique needs of firefighters.
“Better access to services that are timely, individualized, evidence-informed, and that recognize that finding the right therapeutic relationship can take time and be variable for different firefighters is needed,” the paper stated.
chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca
Chris Kitching
Reporter
As a general assignment reporter, Chris covers a little bit of everything for the Free Press.