Brave Minds Met Brave Volunteers: A Visit to Rivne’s Firefighter Training Centre
Ukrainian firefighter at the training centre in Rivne.
Last week, members of the Brave Minds team travelled to Rivne, where we had the privilege of meeting a group of extraordinary people, Ukraine’s volunteer firefighters.
These are individuals who, despite the dangers and uncertainty of wartime, step forward not for pay or recognition, but for the sake of their communities. They train side-by-side with professionals, learning life-saving skills to protect civilians from fires, floods, and crashes—often in high-risk environments caused by conflict.
“It was really great to meet Ukrainian volunteer firefighters. They are incredibly brave to step into this role, particularly in wartime. Firefighting is very dangerous as it is, but when you add the complex hazards that are associated with fires caused by shelling, it becomes so much more dangerous. These people aren’t motivated by financial gain but by supporting their communities.”
— Ed, Project Manager, Brave Minds
Fire training equipment in Rivne
Brave Minds was set up to support full-time firefighters from Ukraine’s State Emergency Service (DSNS), offering psychological resilience training and mental health support tailored for frontline responders. But this visit to Rivne reinforced that volunteer firefighters also need support. That’s why we are extending Brave Minds support to volunteer firefighters too!
While in Rivne, Viktoriia, Brave Minds’ Lead Psychologist, also connected with DSNS psychologists at the training centre. The conversation quickly turned to the shared mission of protecting those who protect others, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.
“At the training centre, I met some DSNS psychologists who were supportive of our Brave Minds project. They saw how our support can really benefit firefighters not only with work-related issues but also with personal challenges, which is supplementary to the work that they do.”
— Viktoriia, Lead Psychologist, Brave Minds
Volunteer firefighter navigating through a hazardous environment training scenario.
The volunteer firefighters that we met were undergoing intensive training in:
Post-crash response
Use of breathing apparatus
Navigating hazardous environments
Basic water rescue
They were focused, determined, and humble. Many are deployed to communities impacted by shelling, infrastructure damage, and other trauma. It’s our goal to ensure they’re equipped not only with the tools to save lives, but with the emotional support and psychological resilience to sustain their own.
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