An Illinois EMT and two firefighters were attacked while responding to a mental health call.
“Code one, code one. We’re getting stabbed. We need help, we need help here right away,” a first responder can be heard saying over the radio.
All three first responders sustained serious stab wounds and were transported for emergency treatment.
In this episode of The Brief: Wellness Edition, Emily Hitchings and Greg Friese discuss violence against first responders and the difficulty of getting help. Hitchings defines what it means to be a “culturally competent counselor” and the importance of counselors being trained to work specifically with first responders.
Recalling his own experience with a counselor after a traumatic incident, Friese asked, “How should I have advocated for himself?”
Hitchings tells first responders, “Don’t give up. Find the person who gets you and gets it and if you can’t find someone with first responder training, look for somebody (a counselor) with military training.”
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“A culturally competent counselor has specialized training with first responders.”
How does your agency measure up when it comes to wellness? Lexipol’s Wellness solutions help agencies deliver anonymous, 24/7 support, enhance peer support team readiness, and build a culture of wellness. Contact Lexipol at 844-312-9500 to learn more or request a demo.
About The Brief: Wellness Edition
The Brief: Wellness Edition video series explores the wellness implications of current events for public safety professionals. Each episode brings a timely conversation that connects unfolding events to the day-to-day realities of first responders.
