Monday, May 20, 2013 

 



 

Trauma Survivors Deserve Therapy That Actually Works



Alan G. Kraut

Executive director, Association for Psychological Science in Washington, D.C.

The mind-boggling events of the past month -- the Boston Marathon bombings, the fertilizer plant explosion near Waco, a deadly collapse of a garment factory in Bangladesh -- will undoubtedly leave in their wake a host of survivors suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Many victims will get over the short-term trauma of those events, but others -- in the coming weeks and months --will begin experiencing the chronic bad dreams, flashbacks, slee... [ more ]  

Wednesday, May 15, 2013 

How to cope with firefighter non-LODDs



Just because the firefighters did not die in the line of duty does not mean their fellow firefighters can cope with the loss without help

By Ronald J. Siarnicki



Recently my community of Kent Island, Md. suffered a tragic loss of four young men. These close friends, ages 18 and 19, went for a ride mid-day and were involved in a fatal motor vehicle accident.

There are no real answers as to how or why this occurred, but now my community is faced with addressing the aftermath.

In addition, the impact of this tragedy has affected my local fire service as one of these young men was a ... [ more ]  

Monday, May 6, 2013  A Chicago-area firefighter loses his job after heart problems cause him to collapse during a racquetball game. Brian Stokes travels the Return to Work Lab at Baylor Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital in Dallas in hopes of completing the six-week program and resuming his job as a firefighter.

 

Monday, April 22, 2013 

Member Assistance Program

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and American Addiction Centers have teamed up to provide the National Fire Services Member Assistance Program to all NVFC members and their families. NVFC members and their families can call the FREE, confidential Member Assistance Hotline at 1-888-731-FIRE (3473) any time day or night to help you through issues affecting your life.

The Member Assistance Program can help with any problems that affect your work or personal life. These may include alcohol or drug addiction, anxiety or depression, stress, PTSD, relationship problems, work-related concerns, legal problems, financial management difficulties, critical incidents, or psychological problems.

How does the MAP work?

The Member Assistance Program provides confidential counseling, guidance, and referral services to help NVFC members and their families manage ... [ more ]  

Monday, April 15, 2013 

Hey Chief, Are You OK? ~ Coping with PTSD 

by Deputy Chief Robert R. Devonshire, Jr.
Strasburg Fire Company #1 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Since October 1985, I have had the privilege of calling myself a firefighter. This has afforded me many opportunities and opened numerous doors because of my involvement in this profession.

Over the years, I have attended many hours of classroom and hands on training as well as accumulating a vast amount of experience. All of which is invaluable when it comes to dealing with the variety of calls we are dispatched to, crashes, fires, haz-mat, medical or other emergencies. We deal with them and ... [ more ]  

Thursday, April 4, 2013 

Montreal Fire Chief quits following underling's suicide

 

 April 3rd, 2013

 

JEAN-LOUIS FORTIN | QMI AGENCY



MONTREAL - Montreal's fire chief is quitting amid an intimidation scandal that led to a high-ranking fire official killing himself.

 

Serge Tremblay, a 35-year veteran, announced he'll leave on May 31.

 

He admitted his department has a bullying problem after fire-prevention official Stephane Archambault killed himself last October.... [ more ]  

Tuesday, April 2, 2013 

Behavior Health Is a Leadership Role

Return to theApril 1, 2013issue of On Scene

 

What exciting lives we lead. We participate in many events that other people only get to read about or watch in amazement on TV.We see babies born and people die. Lives change in a matter of moments, sometimes for the better and other times for the worst. Whether we're a volunteer or paid firefighter, we have a great opportunity to help people in need.

 

Sometimes, though, that person may be the individual working right next to you.more ]  

Monday, March 25, 2013 

Comp denied for firefighter's PTSD unaccompanied by physical injury

March 25, 2013



In Oklahoma, an injured worker who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and depression as a result of a work incident is not entitled to benefits unless he also suffered a physical injury in the incident.

Case name: City of Norman v. Helm, No. 110273 (Okla. Civ. App. 12/07/12).

Ruling: The Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals held that a firefighter was not entitled to benefits for his mental injuries that were unaccompanied by physical injuries.

What it means: In Oklahoma, an injured worker who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and depression as a result of a work incident is not entitled to benefits unless he also suffered a physical injury in the incident.

 

Summary: A firefighter for ... [ more ]  

Monday, March 18, 2013 

Study Finds PTSD Diagnoses Accurate



A report released Friday by the Army's surgeon general found a high degree of validity in the service's diagnoses and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.

March 13, 2013

A report released March 8, 2013, by the Army's surgeon general found a high degree of validity in the service's diagnoses and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. Picture here, Col. Michael J. Roy (left), who oversees the exposure therapy at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., conducts a demonstration with Sgt. Lenearo Ashford, of a combat simulator that represents one of the new forms of post-traumatic stress disorder treatment. Credit U.S.Army

 

WASHINGTON -- A report released Friday by the Army's surgeon general found a more ]  

Tuesday, March 5, 2013  Are mandatory debriefings following traumatic incidents always in everyone's best interest? Research and lessons learned from September 11, Charleston, and other events show the answer is no. Immediately sending in counselors has become a standard procedure, but work sponsored by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) makes it clear it's time to move forward from a "one size fits all" approach.

At an international conference on Friday, March 1, the NFFF introduced a new Behavioral Health Model that changes the way the fire service assists firefighters and others on the path to healing. It is based on the concept that no two firefighters will necessarily have the same reaction - not even to the same call.

"Years of accumulating research involving leading experts in the field of recovery from traumatic events, as well as our own work after September 11, helped us develop this new model," said Chief Ronald Siarnicki, executive director... [ more ]  

Friday, March 1, 2013 

EveryoneGoesHome.com E-News Alert
March 1, 2013



Helping Firefighters Deal with Psychological Stress from Job's Routine and Extraordinary Events

Research and lessons learned from 9/11 supports alternative to mandatory debriefings

Are mandatory debriefings following traumatic incidents always in everyone's best interest? Research and lessons learned from September 11, Charleston, and other events show the answer is no. Immediately sending in counselors has become a standard procedure, but work sponsored by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) makes it clear it's time to move forward from a "one size fits all" approach.

At an international conference on Friday, March 1, the NFFF introduced a new Behavioral Health Model... [ more ]  

Thursday, February 28, 2013 

IAFC, NVFC Get Ready for Safety and Health Week

Behavioral Health Takes Center Stage in 2013 Campaign

The International Association of Fire Chiefs and the National Volunteer Fire Council have announced that behavioral health will be the focus of this year’s activities during the 2013 International Fire/EMS Safety and Health Weekmore ]  

Friday, February 22, 2013  February 21,2013

   Suicide Prevention Information Sheet for EMS Providers 

                 provided by the

      Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance



Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) has produced a new information sheet for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers. This sheet provides basic information to help EMS providers recognize and respond to people who may be suicidal or at high risk for suicide. It also contains a list of relevant resource materials and organizations. Extensive input and review from EMS providers at ... [ more ]  

Tuesday, February 12, 2013 

Searching for Answers Following a Fellow Firefighter’s Suicide



By Frank Fennell

Editor’s note: In this article, part of a two-article series on firefighter suicide, Lt. Frank Fennell shares a story he initially penned in 1995, one year after losing a firefighter colleague to suicide. The other part of this series looks at behavioral health programs for fire departments, including several innovative programs implemented in the Phoenix suburbs, that can help departments promote emotional and mental health. Note: If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, please visit www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org or call 800-273-TALK(8255) .

more ]