A Bridge for Treatment: A Wellness Centre for Firefighters and Their Families

This paper seeks to demonstrate the benefits a Wellness Centre facility for Firefighters and their families would have on their overall wellbeing. The development and implementation of the Wellness Centre will be based on Stress Recovery Theory, Trauma-Informed Design, and Biophilic Design. The research methods consisted of analysing theoretical and conceptual frameworks. Specifically, (Dietkus, 2022) principles of Trauma-Informed Design, and (MacDermid, 2021) development of Stress Recovery Theory. The researcher further developed these frameworks by implementing the use of Biophilic Design. Biophilic Design is the theory that advocates implementing natural elements within your design to connect individuals to nature. The researcher also examined a case study on Dr. Carrie Steiner’s “The First Responders Wellness Center”. Field research was conducted by the researcher, interviewing Designers, Therapists, and Fire Chiefs. Subsequently, implementing Trauma Informed Design, Stress-Recovery Theory, and Biophilic Design will directly impact their overall wellbeing. Ultimately, the result of the study confirmed that there is a need for a Wellness Centre for Firefighters and their families.