Manitoba funds 3 mental health counsellors for first responders after Winnipeg firefighter's death

Manitoba politicians broke away from their regular agenda on Monday afternoon to pay tribute to a Winnipeg firefighter who died from suicide earlier this month.

There was a moment of silence, and a wreath and photos of 40-year-old Preston Heinbignerwere placed in the legislature on Monday.

Heinbigner died by suicide and had struggled with the trauma he had seen while responding to calls on the job, according to his friends and family.

David Pankratz, an NDP MLAand former firefighter, says the duties carried out by first responders like Heinbigner can take a toll on their mental health over time.

"Your courage in the face of such profound loss and your advocacy for better support for the mental and emotional well-being of our first responders remind us that the challenges Preston faced are too common among all who serve on the front lines," Pankratz said in the legislature.

Pankratz says the government wants to reduce the stigma around post-traumatic stress and remove barriers for people seeking support.

More than 200 firefighters from across the province packed the public gallery in the legislature, before walking to Memorial Park with Heinbigner's family for a ceremony and a call to action.

"We have a lot of work to do. We know there is stigma, we know there [are] delays. We know there's a need for more capacity," said Tom Bilous, president of the United Firefighters of Winnipeg.

The United Firefighters of Winnipeg also want Heinbigner's death recognized by the Workers Compensation Board as a line-of-duty death.

Premier Wab Kinew says more help is on the way to help all first responders, as the province is committing to pay for three counsellors to work with law enforcement, paramedics and firefighters.

"We're going to respond with this as a first step and we know that there's going to be more steps needed in the future to help those who help us," Kinew said.

Heinbigner's name will be added to a monument for fallen firefighters at Memorial Park in Winnipeg, as well as a memorial for fallen firefighters in the United States.

Manitoba funds 3 mental health counsellors for first responders after Winnipeg firefighter's death

6 months ago

Duration 1:56

Manitoba politicians broke away from their regular agenda on Monday afternoon to pay tribute to a Winnipeg firefighter who died from suicide earlier this month. Preston Heinbigner had struggled with the trauma he had seen while responding to calls on the job, according to his friends and family.