PTSD
Feeling alone within a group, especially one that seems otherwise cohesive, can be the worst kind of loneliness
Survivors, now adults, rely on counseling to cope with trauma of the shooting 25 years ago
Corrine Flammer, N.J.’s first mental health resilience officer, details how fire/EMS leaders can create custom resiliency plans that address the needs of individual members
Dogs have a long history helping firefighters; now they expand their role to offer physical and mental health benefits
City and county cost projections of more than $4.68 million a year helped defeat the bill named after Cleveland firefighter James “Dustin” Samples
Listen and watch as Gordon Graham underlines the importance of first responders seeking early treatment as soon as mental health symptoms appear
Children
We do everything we can in the hope we’re wrong about what is happening to the smallest of victims
A career in public safety amplifies our natural human tendency to anticipate danger, which can be complicated when it expands beyond work
Tips from Boston EMS for starting a health and wellness program to support member resiliency
Austin leaders are considering rule changes after a Texas law approved low-THC products to treat PTSD
A2886 cleared the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee after advocates for the measure argued that it’s a matter of life and death for their coworkers
If there are protocols for PPE and physical decon, why don’t we conduct ‘mindful decontamination’ following stressful calls?
Capt. James ‘Dustin’ Samples’ widow, Jennifer Samples said, “we had built an incredible life, made plans for the future — and PTSD stole all that from us”
Many firefighters started calling a personal mayday years ago – it’s time to turn the tide
Including dispatchers in debriefings for major events can help them achieve maximum emotional recovery
The Florida nonprofit supports the psychological and emotional needs of first responders and their families
Suicide
Independence Firefighter-Paramedic Chad Sappenfield had previously served in the U.S. Army
The most important thing a leader can do is offer a listening ear to those they encounter going through a tough time
What are you to doing to enhance situational awareness and reduce multitasking in a world increasingly consumed with distraction?
Lt. Douglas Brown uses fiction and inspiration from Dickens’ classic novella to spotlight first responder PTSD
Arrests
Former Wilmington Firefighter Joseph Leonetti Jr. was sentenced to five years in federal prison for possessing and distributing the images
Through a series of portraits, Kate Bergen hopes to elevate the stories and recognition of the women who answered the call on that September day
Police reform prompts further discussion of how fire and EMS should handle behavioral health crises
The Georgia Office of Public Safety Support was created after legislation supporting the effort to formalize peer counseling for first responders passed in 2018
Maia Dalton-Theodore will focus on collaboration, plus safe, confidential and customized services, to serve the city’s firefighters
It’s a serious issue, so why are so many fire service leaders looking the other way?
Assistant Chief Steve Serbic shares his story of seeking counseling after a series of traumatic calls
Burton Fire District Capt. Bobby Davidson was headed on a trip with his wife for an anniversary when he noticed a woman in need of emotional support
The vote directs the department to work with local resources to provide mental health visits for firefighters and their families
The chaos of June 12, 2016, left lingering trauma for first responders and led local agencies to reexamine their preparation for active-shooter events
2nd Alarm Project addresses how to operationalize culture change regarding behavioral health within the fire service
The fire service has changed: There are more fires to fight and wounds to heal than the ones on the outside
Maia Dalton-Theodore will serve as the director for AFR’s Firefighter Mental Health and Wellness Program
