Books
Cover My Six: The Playbook
Twelve Essential Trainings for Firefighter Peer Support
This “workbook” is a comprehensive, hands-on training tool designed specifically for firefighter peer support teams to navigate the complex mental health challenges inherent in your profession. The Playbook emphasizes peer support as a critical, culturally competent intervention that bridges the gap between trauma exposure and formal mental health care.
Filled with clear and engaging exercises you can start today. Cover My Six: The Playbook is not only a great companion to and next step after the Cover My Six guidebook, but as a stand-alone and foundational resource.
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In Cover My Six—The Playbook, you’ll discover:
Tactical listening and resilient responding skills Detailed guidance on crisis response, including how, when, and who to bring in for mutual aid Recognizing red flags for suicide risk and activating emergency protocols Navigating confidentiality with care, especially with the top brass How to get leadership buy in, confidentiality protection, and cross-agency collaboration And much more, including self-care and mental armor for peer supporters to help you navigate the demands of the job with strength and clarity.
Through exercises, partner practices, and group discussions, peer supporters learn to build sustainable teams, rotate responsibilities, and celebrate wins, and keep thriving in the demanding fire service environment.
Order your copy today and begin your journey to sustaining the mission of caring for those who serve on the front lines.
Cover My Six:
A Comprehensive Guide to Firefighter Care
Firefighting isn’t just a job—it’s a calling. But the demands of the frontline don’t stay at the firehouse. Long shifts, high-pressure calls, and the unseen toll of the job cuts deep, not only eroding a firefighter’s mental and emotional resilience, but also straining the stability of their family and the brotherhood they rely on.
Cover My Six is a direct, no-nonsense guide to firefighter mental wellness—written for those who charge into danger when others retreat. Written by culturally competent expert Dr. Lea Sullivan, this essential resource delivers cutting-edge, evidence-based strategies grounded in the latest mental health research. No fluff—just the tools you need to take charge of your mental well-being, strengthen your crew, and lead with clarity and confidence. In a profession upheld by trust and toughness, protecting your mind is just as critical as protecting your crew.
This isn’t just a book—it’s a tactical roadmap to help you stay strong, focused, and ready for the job’s daily demands. Because when you protect your own well-being, you’re stronger for others.
Inside Cover My Six, you’ll find:
An inside look at the fire service and its unique challenges with critical incident trauma Hard-hitting truths about mental health in the fire service—and how to break the stigma Real-world tactics for handling stress, trauma, and moral injury Templates for a mental wellness preplan Tools to strengthen your family relationships—both at work and at home Evidence-based support for on-going maintenance, treatment, and prevention of trauma Actionable steps to keep your peer support team sharp, both on and off dut
If you’re ready to take care of yourself as well as you take care of others, this book is your next must-read. Because in the fire service, watching each other’s backs is not just part of the job—it’s the only way to survive.
Are you ready to Cover Your Six?