Tuesday, June 18, 2013 

The Impact of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder on Firefighters


Created: June 18, 2013

 

In many areas, the fire service culture, which is built largely on the values of bravery and pride, prevents its members from asking for help when needed.

The pressures of today’s world can lead to mental health issues in any individual. The death of a loved one, divorce and financial challenges are only some of the most obvious stressors that affect people’s coping mechanisms in today’s society.

Firefighters are a unique breed as they not only have to deal with the same issues as society in general, but also the fact that they are exposed to events that involve trauma, death and loss on a regular basis throughout their career. Being exposed to these events can have an effect on an individual over time and can compound significantly if they are not handled properly.
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Thursday, June 13, 2013 

June 13, 2013

St-Jean-sur-Richelieu firefighter sounds the alarm about psychological harassment

By Anne Leclair Global News

MONTREAL – A member of Montreal’s fire department committed suicide last fall, after enduring months of psychological harassment from a co-worker. The incident rocked the fire department’s reputation and the fire chief was forced to resign in February. Around the same time that Stéphane Archambault took his life, a woman by the name of Nathalie Michaud was going through her own ordeal with workplace bullying, at the St-Jean-sur-Richelieu Fire Department. The two incidents weren’t related, but Michaud sees many similarities.

“I really unfortunately understand what probably lead Mr. Archambault to do that,” said Michaud while holding b... [ more ]  

Monday, June 10, 2013 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder May Be Prevented With New Drug That 'Triggers A Brain Receptor'

By Nyasia Draper | Jun 07, 2013 12:25 PM EDT

Scientist have discovered that Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can possibly be prevented according to the Los Angeles Times.

The conclusion stems from an experiment involving traumatized mice who were later treated with a drug that "triggers a brain receptor thought to be involved in how mice -- and people -- respond to fear."

"We prevented PTSD-like symptoms," said Raul Andero Gali, a published author and Emory University neuroscientist.

According to t... [ more ]  

Saturday, June 8, 2013 

What the NVFC has planned for Safety and Health Week



Jun. 6, 2013 by Janet Wilmoth in Mutual Aid

An Illinois firefighter committed suicide earlier this week, after posting an apology to his family and friends on Facebook. I can only imagine how painful his actions were to his loved ones, who must be left with endless questions.

Firefighter suicide is a topic that really has come to the forefront in recent years, with fire-service organizations taking initiaves to increase awareness and openness... [ more ]  

Wednesday, June 5, 2013 

Please take a moment when you hit your knees tonight to remember Firefighter Meyer and his family both blood relatives and fire service alike

 

Reservoir Suicide Victim Identified as Midlothian Firefighter 



A note was left on the firefighter's Facebook page shortly before his death.

Posted by Nick Swedberg (Editor), June 5, 2013 at 01:06 pm Flag as Inappropriate  

A Midlothian firefighter committed suicide Tuesday in the Cook County Forest Preserve, after leaving a public note on Faceb... [ more ]  

Monday, June 3, 2013 

Behavioral Health Programs in the Fire Service



Programs and initiatives that can help create a dialogue about sensitive issues



By Paul Bourgeois
Published Friday, February 15, 2013 | From the March 2013 Issue of FireRescue

Editor’s note: In this article of a two-article series on firefighter behavioral health, Paul Bourgeois explains the importance of making behavioral health a priority in the fire service, starting at the department level, and offers useful information about programs and initiatives that can help create a dialogue about sensitive issues.  In the other ar... [ more ]  

Saturday, May 25, 2013  WHEN THOMAS Joiner was 25 years old, his father—whose name was also Thomas Joiner and who could do anything—disappeared from the family’s home. At the time, Joiner was a graduate student at the University of Texas, studying clinical psychology. His focus was depression, and it was obvious to him that his father was depressed. Six weeks earlier, on a family trip to the Georgia coast, the gregarious 56-year-old—the kind of guy who was forever talking and laughing and bending people his way—was sullen and withdrawn, spending days in bed, not sick or hungover, not really sleeping.

Joiner knew enough not to worry. He knew that the desire for death—the easy way out, the only relief—was a symptom of depression, and although at least 2 percent of those diagnosed make suicide their final chart line, his father didn’t match the suicidal types he had learned about in school. He wasn’t weak or impulsive. He wasn’t a brittle person w... [ more ]  

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 ]