Case Study - Tulsa Firefighters Benevolent Fund
How bao Helped the Tulsa Firefighter Benevolent Fund Shine a Light on Mental Health & Substance Abuse in the Firefighter Community
At bao, we believe in the power of storytelling to drive change, spark conversations, and create meaningful impact. When the Tulsa Firefighter Benevolent Fund approached us with a critical mission—to produce a short documentary feature addressing mental health and substance abuse in the firefighter community—we knew this was a story that needed to be told.
With their annual gala fundraiser as the backdrop, our goal was to craft a film that would resonate, educate, and inspire action—helping to raise awareness and funding for the heroes who risk their lives every day.
The Challenge: Shedding Light on an Unspoken Struggle
Firefighters are trained to be strong, resilient, and fearless in the face of danger. But behind the uniform, many struggle with mental health challenges, PTSD, and substance abuse—issues that often go unspoken due to stigma and the high-pressure nature of their profession.
The Tulsa Firefighter Benevolent Fund wanted to use their gala fundraiser as a platform to:
✅ Raise awareness about the mental health struggles firefighters face
✅ Break the stigma surrounding PTSD, anxiety, and addiction within the community
✅ Encourage firefighters to seek help and utilize available resources
✅ Inspire donors to support mental health initiatives and assistance programs
They needed a film that was powerful, emotional, and authentic—one that would connect with their audience on a deep level.
Our Approach: A Documentary That Speaks from the Heart
To bring this vision to life, our team at bao took a documentary-style approach, ensuring that the voices of real firefighters and the people who care for them were at the center of the story.
🎥 Authentic Storytelling Through Personal Interviews
We conducted in-depth interviews with a firefighter, a mental health professional, and the head of the firefighter’s union. Their raw, heartfelt testimonies painted a real, unfiltered picture of the mental health crisis in the firefighting community.
🎭 Emotional Impact Through Cinematic Storytelling
Our goal was to create a film that didn’t just inform but also moved audiences. We carefully crafted the narrative, balancing moments of struggle with messages of hope and resilience—emphasizing the importance of mental health support and community solidarity.
🎶 Music & Sound Design to Elevate the Message
To enhance the emotional depth of the film, we used thoughtful music and sound design that underscored the weight of the topic while ultimately leaving viewers with a sense of hope and purpose.
The Impact: A Film That Inspired Action
When the documentary was screened at the Tulsa Firefighter Benevolent Fund Gala, the response was overwhelming:
🔥 Emotional Engagement – Attendees were deeply moved, with many firefighters and family members expressing gratitude for bringing this issue into the spotlight.
💬 Conversations Sparked – The film opened the door for honest discussions about mental health, breaking barriers and encouraging more firefighters to seek support.
💰 Fundraising Success – The powerful storytelling played a key role in driving donations, helping the fund secure additional resources for firefighter mental health programs.
📢 Ongoing Awareness – Beyond the gala, the documentary is now being used as a training and awareness tool within the firefighting community, reaching even more first responders.
Why This Project Matters
At bao, we’re honored to have played a role in telling such an important and necessary story. Mental health and substance abuse are real issues that affect countless first responders, and we believe video is one of the most powerful tools to drive awareness and change.
If your organization has a story that needs to be told, we’d love to help. Let’s create something that makes a difference.
📩 Contact us today to discuss your next project.