Firefighters and emergency responders stay calm and level-headed in some of the most difficult situations on the planet.  It’s suggested in the Yellow Ribbon Report that there’s some evidence that their brains are actually wired differently for increased resiliency, allowing them to repeatedly respond to emergencies that would overwhelm others. They have to approach situations with reason and logic, even when basic biological impulses would tend to dictate otherwise.  As a result, after repeated exposures to traumatic events and the pressure to continue at this incredibly high level of performance and resiliency, many firefighters find themselves feeling inclined to hide, ignore, or suppress their feelings, sometimes with devastating effects.  One study of 7,000 firefighters found that 65% of the respondents struggle with memories of difficult calls, 59% have had family or relationship problems as a result of their jobs, substance abuse issues were experienced by 27%, and 19% have had thoughts of suicide.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and now is a great time to focus on what you and your department can do to support mental wellbeing, build resiliency, and learn what resources are available for those who need help.  Some historic fire service culture celebrated powering through difficult situations at all costs, and has caused some firefighters to believe that they are expected to “tough it out” and ignore problems.  There is a stigma around firefighter mental health that asking for help may indicate weakness or put their jobs in jeopardy.  Not to mention, some believe that their training and experience is such that they shouldn’t be vulnerable to mental health issues in the first place.  Because of this culture, departments like Houston Fire are hiring full-time psychologists and providing 24/7 peer support networks for their firefighters, among other things.  These interventions help firefighters manage their stress after especially difficult calls – trauma experts and other professionals may meet them at their homes, hospitals, fire stations, or even on scene.

Houston Fire, specifically, has proven to be a shining example of taking this issue seriously and affecting real change, in both the way the department responds to emotional health issues and the fire service “tough it out” culture.  Five firefighter suicides in three years was a wake-up call to make the shift from a culture of primarily punitive responses to behavioral issues to a more supportive and rehabilitative approach.  They took the time to figure out where the miss was from a department support perspective – programs already in place weren’t easily accessible, weren’t uniquely helpful to the demands of the fire service (example: typical Employee Assistance Programs available through most employers aren’t equipped to deal with the complex needs of first responders, who are dealing with different types of stressors than more typical work environments), or were perceived to be a fast-track to judgement from peers and supervisors.

Since the review, Houston Fire has added many layers of support to their programs – mental and emotional health supports specifically tailored to the complex needs of fire service and first responders.  This begins with training for new recruits – ensuring that they’re trained to perceive asking for help as a strength and not a weakness – and making sure they have exposure to what PTSD and complex trauma looks like from people who have dealt with it themselves, so they’re prepared to recognize the signs in themselves and others.  Following that, ensuring that there are multiple avenues to responsive, 24/7 support and care has been key.  As mentioned above, this includes psychologists, peer support networks, crisis teams, and more.  Also, partnering with the community to have beds in recovery and treatment programs donated or negotiated to a reduced in price to what insurance deems reasonable to avoid out-of-pocket expenses can get firefighters back to work sooner and more effectively – helping improve life for the first responder and enable them to continue saving lives in the community.  Most importantly, continuing to meet regularly to assess progress, issues, and redirect the program to continue to be effective has been critical – even an incredibly effective program, left to stagnate, will fade over time.  To read more in-depth about the approach Houston Fire took, check out this article at Firehouse.com.

And don’t forget, help extends to the families of firefighters and other first responders as well – since they may also have traumatic experiences or secondary trauma due to their loved one’s career.  Organizations like the First Responder Support Network and the First Responders Children’s Foundation are designed to help with whole family emotional health.  It’s critically important that first responders and their families are aware of the support available to them, because no matter how important your job is, you can only help others for so long while falling apart yourself. Prioritizing your own health makes you a better firefighter, and helps your life outside of work be a stable, safe place to land after a long or particularly difficult shift, and through ongoing stressors and trauma.