Dena Ali

The Latest

Battalion Chief, Raleigh (NC) Fire Department

It’s Not the Calls: First Responder Mental Health and Organizational Leadership

November 9, 2023 | 1 PM EST
This Webcast highlights the connection between leadership and the mental health of our members.
FDIC CoverageWebcast
Dena Ali and Stephen Shaw

Perspectives on Leadership: Dena Ali

Stephen Shaw speaks with Raleigh (NC) Battalion Chief Dena Ali about relationships and their role in both the fire service and our personal lives.
Fire Department LeadershipFirefightingPodcasts
Indianapolis firefighters

It’s Not the Calls: Firefighter Mental Health and Organizational Leadership

When we are unable to address our true sources of pain, healing remains elusive. Dena Ali considers the mental health impacts of bad leaders.
FeaturesFire Department LeadershipFirefighting
Firefighters navigates darkness inside structure with light

Firefighter Stress Resilience and Increasing Emotional Bandwidth

Dena Ali considers polyvagal theory and heart rate variability and how they might account for firefighters' emotional resilience and response to stressors.
FeaturesFirefighter HealthFirefighting

More Dena Ali

Dena Ali on sleep deprivation

Sleep: A Missing Link to Cancer Prevention

If we are serious about preventing cancer among first responders, we must prioritize changing the way we view sleep. The fire service must normalize the need for sleep in the same way it has normalized the use of self-contained breathing apparatus, writes Dena Ali.
Firefighter HealthFirefighting
Firefighters at Indianapolis fire

Upstream Practices That Predict Firefighter Resilience

Dena Ali considers some practices that can help firefighters and first responders cultivate resilience for the traumas they experience on the job.
FeaturesFirefighter HealthFirefighting

PTSD: Don’t Move Next to an Airport and Complain About Airplane Noise

Nobody is immune from the effects of trauma. However, we all have the power to control how trauma shapes us.
Firefighter HealthFirefighting

Addressing Internal Conflict to Understand Suicide

Through public education and social support, we can create a culture among firefighters that is more understanding of suicide.
Firefighter HealthFirefighting

Mitigating Wildfire Risk in the Wildland Urban Interface, Part 2

Dena Ali continues her in-depth look at one of the fire service’s most timely subjects: how best to mitigate wildfire risk in the wildland urban interface.
FirefightingWildland Firefighting

Mitigating Wildfire Risk in the Wildland Urban Interface, Part 1

Dena Ali goes in-depth on one of the fire service’s most timely subjects: how best to mitigate wildfire risk in the wildland urban interface.
FirefightingWildland Firefighting
Firefighter with face in shadow

Dispelling Some Common Myths About Suicide

Dena Ali discusses some common myths surrounding suicide and mental health disorders as they relate to first responders.
Fire Safety
Hotshots: The Firefighter’s Firefighter

Hotshots: The Firefighter’s Firefighter

While wildland firefighters face significant demands during the typical fire season, the expectations placed on smokejumpers, rappelers, and hotshots are even more demanding.
FirefightingWildland Firefighting

Preventing Suicide in Firefighters Suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress

Fire Safety

Can Peer Support Prevent Firefighter Suicide?

Fire Safety

Dena Ali: Awareness Level Fire Service Suicide Prevention

Fire PreventionFire Safety

A Culture of Acceptance: Up Close with the Rosecrance Florian Program

Firefighting

A Culture of Acceptance: Up Close with the Rosecrance Florian Program

Fire Department LeadershipFirefighting

FDIC International 2017 Class: Firefighter Suicide Prevention Approach

FDIC Coverage

Firefighters Strengthened by ‘Emotional Support’ During 2015 Carolina Brotherhood Ride

Fire Department LeadershipFirefighting