To help prevent conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, regular debriefings are vital after calls that involve fatalities or an injury to a fellow firefighter.

Also remember that while some people have high tolerance to critical stress, others have lower tolerance levels. Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder include:

• Outward displays of tension, anger and irritability
• Extreme tiredness
• Chronic neck, back, or headaches
• Sleep problems
• Difficulty concentrating
• Personality swings