The physical dangers to firefighters are well known. Less well known are the emotional challenges that result from being a firefighter or paramedic. The First Responder Suicide Prevention Act (5 ILCS 840) attempts to address these challenges. The new Act amends the Fire Protection Training Act to require training on issues related to stress, trauma, and post-traumatic experience by firefighters. It encourages referrals to employee assistance programs, within the fire department or outside of it, and creates requirements to insure that any information shared on these issues remains confidential.