LIFELINES™
Building a culture of connection, belonging, and mutual support
The workforce challenge
In a national survey of 5,813 Canadian public safety personnel,
44.5% screened positive for symptoms of one or more mental
health disorders (Carleton et al., Canadian Journal of
Psychiatry, 2018). Even when formal resources exist, people
can still feel isolated or unsupported.
44.5% screened positive for symptoms of one or more mental
health disorders (Carleton et al., Canadian Journal of
Psychiatry, 2018). Even when formal resources exist, people
can still feel isolated or unsupported.
What is LIFELINES?
LIFELINES is a facilitated, experiential program that helps
fire, police, ambulance, and EMS teams build a culture of trust,
belonging, and mutual support. When people feel connected and
valued, anxiety eases, communication opens up, and colleagues
are more likely to notice when someone is struggling and reach
out, to one another or to formal supports. It serves individual
departments, multi-agency cohorts, and regional or province-wide
groups, and fits other high-pressure workplaces where people
depend on one another. LIFELINES builds everyday support,
not just crisis response. It works alongside EAP, Peer Support,
and other professional services, helping people reach for them
when needed and reducing how often crisis-level help is needed.
fire, police, ambulance, and EMS teams build a culture of trust,
belonging, and mutual support. When people feel connected and
valued, anxiety eases, communication opens up, and colleagues
are more likely to notice when someone is struggling and reach
out, to one another or to formal supports. It serves individual
departments, multi-agency cohorts, and regional or province-wide
groups, and fits other high-pressure workplaces where people
depend on one another. LIFELINES builds everyday support,
not just crisis response. It works alongside EAP, Peer Support,
and other professional services, helping people reach for them
when needed and reducing how often crisis-level help is needed.
How does it work?
Each session alternates short educational segments with
guided breakout-room discussions, where participants work
with the concepts together and build relationships.
LIFELINES is not lecture-based or team building: it is
a transformational experience with a lasting effect on
how people connect with and support one another.
guided breakout-room discussions, where participants work
with the concepts together and build relationships.
LIFELINES is not lecture-based or team building: it is
a transformational experience with a lasting effect on
how people connect with and support one another.
Format:
14 hours of facilitated training, scheduled as
two 8-hour days or five 3-hour sessions,
breaks included
14 hours of facilitated training, scheduled as
two 8-hour days or five 3-hour sessions,
breaks included
Delivery:
Live online, so people from different stations,
agencies, or regions can take part together
Live online, so people from different stations,
agencies, or regions can take part together
Continuity:
A digital copy of
Sounding the Drum: Community Building
in the Digital Age
and follow-up support through monthly
“LIFELINES Community Conversations”
A digital copy of
Sounding the Drum: Community Building
in the Digital Age
and follow-up support through monthly
“LIFELINES Community Conversations”
Recognition:
Recognized for continuing education credits
Recognized for continuing education credits
Where LIFELINES has been run
Anderson County EMS – Tennessee
Northwest Colorado RETAC* – Colorado
Harford County Department of EMS – Maryland
Northeast Colorado RETAC* – Colorado
Johnson County Ambulance Service – Iowa
Southeast Alabama EMS Council – Alabama
Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs – Ontario
Several mixed-agency cohorts – Canada and the US
*RETAC: Regional Emergency Medical and Trauma
Advisory Council.
Advisory Council.
What participants reported – before and after
67% to 92%
“I feel a sense of connection to the people here.”
63% to 98%
“I feel supported by the people here.”
76% to 96%
“I feel a sense of belonging here with this group.”
Share of respondents who agreed or strongly agreed,
before and after LIFELINES (n = 49, 9 cohorts).
before and after LIFELINES (n = 49, 9 cohorts).
“I recommend this course for anyone building a
new team and for all supervisors and officers.”
new team and for all supervisors and officers.”
Investment
$4,500 CAD
Per cohort of up to 25 participants for the full
14-hour program, or as little as $180 per participant.
14-hour program, or as little as $180 per participant.
To learn more or discuss your team’s needs
Lori Gosselin
About the creator
Lori Gosselin, community builder and founder of
Kalliergo Community Building, is the author of
Sounding the Drum and the creator of LIFELINES.
Kalliergo Community Building, is the author of
Sounding the Drum and the creator of LIFELINES.
LIFELINES™: because the best time to build a support
network is before anyone needs one.
network is before anyone needs one.
Updated October 2026