{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/9.1-203.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/9.1-203.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/9.1-203.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/9.1-203.1.html"}],"law_id":72049,"edition_id":1,"section_id":72049,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-203.1","catch_line":"Firefighter mental health awareness training","history":"2018, cc. 456, 658; 2020, c. 1262.","full_text":"A\n\nEach fire department as defined in \u00a7 27-6.01 shall develop curricula for mental health awareness training for its personnel, which shall include training regarding the following:1\n\nUnderstanding signs and symptoms of cumulative stress, depression, anxiety, exposure to acute and chronic trauma, compulsive behaviors, and addiction;2\n\nCombating and overcoming stigmas;3\n\nResponding appropriately to aggressive behaviors such as domestic violence and harassment;4\n\nAccessing available mental health treatment and resources; and5\n\nManaging stress, self-care techniques, and resiliency.B\n\nAny fire department may develop the mental health awareness training curricula in conjunction with other fire departments or firefighter stakeholder groups or may use any training program, developed by any entity, that satisfies the criteria set forth in subsection A.C\n\nFirefighters who receive mental health awareness training in accordance with this section shall receive appropriate continuing education credits from the Department of Fire Programs and the Virginia Fire Services Board.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":259630,"text":"Each fire department as defined in \u00a7 27-6.01 shall develop curricula for mental health awareness training for its personnel, which shall include training regarding the following:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":259631,"text":"Understanding signs and symptoms of cumulative stress, depression, anxiety, exposure to acute and chronic trauma, compulsive behaviors, and addiction;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":259632,"text":"Combating and overcoming stigmas;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":259633,"text":"Responding appropriately to aggressive behaviors such as domestic violence and harassment;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":259634,"text":"Accessing available mental health treatment and resources; and","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"A5"},"5":{"id":259635,"text":"Managing stress, self-care techniques, and resiliency.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"A5","prefix_anchor":"A5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"B"},"6":{"id":259636,"text":"Any fire department may develop the mental health awareness training curricula in conjunction with other fire departments or firefighter stakeholder groups or may use any training program, developed by any entity, that satisfies the criteria set forth in subsection A.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A5","next_prefix":"C"},"7":{"id":259637,"text":"Firefighters who receive mental health awareness training in accordance with this section shall receive appropriate continuing education credits from the Department of Fire Programs and the Virginia Fire Services Board.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14379,"edition_id":1,"name":"Department of Fire Programs","identifier":"2","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12896,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:56","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:56","permalink":{"id":285213,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14379,"identifier":"2","token":"9.1\/2","url":"\/9.1\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12896,"edition_id":1,"name":"Commonwealth Public Safety","identifier":"9.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","permalink":{"id":284487,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12896,"identifier":"9.1","token":"9.1","url":"\/9.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":55713,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-200","catch_line":"Department of Fire Programs","url":"\/9.1-200\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-200","metadata":false},{"id":81197,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-201","catch_line":"Powers of Executive Director","url":"\/9.1-201\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-201","metadata":false},{"id":70294,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-202","catch_line":"Virginia Fire Services Board; membership; terms; compensation","url":"\/9.1-202\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-202","metadata":false},{"id":73091,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-203","catch_line":"Powers and duties of Virginia Fire Services Board; limitation","url":"\/9.1-203\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-203","metadata":false},{"id":72049,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-203.1","catch_line":"Firefighter mental health awareness training","url":"\/9.1-203.1\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-203.1","metadata":false},{"id":73710,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-203.2","catch_line":"Firefighter Alzheimer's disease and dementia training","url":"\/9.1-203.2\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-203.2","metadata":false},{"id":81623,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-204","catch_line":"Fire service training facilities; allocation of funds therefor","url":"\/9.1-204\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-204","metadata":false},{"id":59417,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-205","catch_line":"Thermal Imaging Camera Grant Fund established","url":"\/9.1-205\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-205","metadata":false},{"id":81472,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-206","catch_line":"State Fire Marshal; qualifications; powers and duties; power to arrest, to procure and serve warrants, and to issue summonses; limitation on authority","url":"\/9.1-206\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-206","metadata":false},{"id":80241,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-207","catch_line":"Inspection of certain state-owned, state-operated, or state-licensed facilities; enforcement of safety standards","url":"\/9.1-207\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-207","metadata":false},{"id":64299,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-207.1","catch_line":"Firefighting foam management","url":"\/9.1-207.1\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-207.1","metadata":false},{"id":76201,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-207.2","catch_line":"Prohibition on use of certain oriented strand board","url":"\/9.1-207.2\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-207.2","metadata":false},{"id":75851,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-208","catch_line":"Agreements between Department and other agencies","url":"\/9.1-208\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-208","metadata":false},{"id":78080,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-208.1","catch_line":"Volunteer Fire Department Training Fund","url":"\/9.1-208.1\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-208.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":73091,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-203","catch_line":"Powers and duties of Virginia Fire Services Board; limitation","url":"\/9.1-203\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-203","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":73710,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-203.2","catch_line":"Firefighter Alzheimer's disease and dementia training","url":"\/9.1-203.2\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-203.2","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/9.1-203.1\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 2018. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?181+ful+CHAP0456\">456<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?181+ful+CHAP0658\">658<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2020, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?201+ful+CHAP1262\">1262<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":66545,"section_number":"27-6.01","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/27-6.01\/"}],"permalink":{"id":285231,"object_type":"law","relational_id":72049,"identifier":"9.1-203.1","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-203.1","url":"\/9.1-203.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/9.1-203.1\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-203.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Firefighter mental health awareness training","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 9.1-203.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> Each fire department as defined in \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Definitions\" href=\"\/27-6.01\/\">27-6.01<\/a> shall develop curricula for mental health awareness training for its personnel, which shall include training regarding the following: <a id=\"paragraph-259630\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/9.1-203.1\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A1\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> Understanding signs and symptoms of cumulative stress, depression, anxiety, exposure to acute and chronic trauma, compulsive behaviors, and addiction; <a id=\"paragraph-259631\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/9.1-203.1\/#A1\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A2\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">2.<\/span> Combating and overcoming stigmas; <a id=\"paragraph-259632\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/9.1-203.1\/#A2\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A3\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">3.<\/span> Responding appropriately to aggressive behaviors such as domestic violence and harassment; <a id=\"paragraph-259633\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/9.1-203.1\/#A3\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A4\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">4.<\/span> Accessing available <span class=\"dictionary\">mental health treatment<\/span> and resources; and <a id=\"paragraph-259634\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/9.1-203.1\/#A4\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A5\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">5.<\/span> Managing stress, self-care techniques, and resiliency. <a id=\"paragraph-259635\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/9.1-203.1\/#A5\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> Any fire department may develop the mental health awareness training curricula in conjunction with other fire departments or firefighter stakeholder groups or may use any training program, developed by any entity, that satisfies the criteria set forth in subsection A. <a id=\"paragraph-259636\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/9.1-203.1\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> Firefighters who receive mental health awareness training in accordance with this section shall receive appropriate continuing education credits from the Department of Fire Programs and the Virginia Fire Services Board. <a id=\"paragraph-259637\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/9.1-203.1\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nFIREFIGHTER MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TRAINING (\u00a7 9.1-203.1)\n\nA. Each fire department as defined in \u00a7 27-6.01 shall develop curricula for\nmental health awareness training for its personnel, which shall include training\nregarding the following:\n\n   1. Understanding signs and symptoms of cumulative stress, depression, anxiety,\n   exposure to acute and chronic trauma, compulsive behaviors, and addiction;\n\n   2. Combating and overcoming stigmas;\n\n   3. Responding appropriately to aggressive behaviors such as domestic violence\n   and harassment;\n\n   4. Accessing available mental health treatment and resources; and\n\n   5. Managing stress, self-care techniques, and resiliency.\n\nB. Any fire department may develop the mental health awareness training\ncurricula in conjunction with other fire departments or firefighter stakeholder\ngroups or may use any training program, developed by any entity, that satisfies\nthe criteria set forth in subsection A.\n\nC. Firefighters who receive mental health awareness training in accordance with\nthis section shall receive appropriate continuing education credits from the\nDepartment of Fire Programs and the Virginia Fire Services Board.\n\nHISTORY: 2018, cc. 456, 658; 2020, c. 1262.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}