Safety regions establish policies for firefighters that suffer from PTSD

All 25 safety regions have established a policy for employees and volunteers who have developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during their work, the Employers' Association of Cooperating Safety Regions (WVSV) has reported.

Through this program, people working in the safety regions, which include the fire department, who develop PTSD as an occupational disease, can receive wage supplements during illness, top-ups to their disability benefits, reimbursement of medical expenses, and income compensation. Other additional costs, such as household help, childcare, and transportation, are also covered, according to WVSV.

Although the scheme is currently specifically aimed at employees and volunteers within the safety regions, there is an intention to possibly expand the approach to other sectors where PTSD is common, such as the police and ambulance services. In addition, consideration is being given to structural funding and evaluation to ensure the scheme’s effectiveness in the long term.

Employees and volunteers can start using the support package from February 1, 2026. From that date, the policy will apply retroactively for up to five years.

At the start of this month, the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Dutch parliament, announced that it would be investing 1.75 million euros for firefighters who suffer from PTSD.