Here is a perfect
example of a Chief who gets it in terms of addressing the 13th Life
Safety Initiative. He has provided help for his people and their families as a routine
and not as a result of a tragedy. Hope this motivates others. You can do it
also!!! If you already have write to us and tell us so we can share too.
example of a Chief who gets it in terms of addressing the 13th Life
Safety Initiative. He has provided help for his people and their families as a routine
and not as a result of a tragedy. Hope this motivates others. You can do it
also!!! If you already have write to us and tell us so we can share too.
“Firefighter close calls, we think of this in a near miss
accident, or near miss tragedy in a structure fire or when we are on a highway
dealing with a motor vehicle accident. What about the near miss we never
realize because it happens with our personnel? This near miss is when we have a
firefighter volunteer or career that we lose because of personal issues. In my
28 years of the fire service the term suck–it-up has been used over and over,
but what happens to us when we can no longer suck-it-up. We lose that
firefighter by them quitting or burning out.
accident, or near miss tragedy in a structure fire or when we are on a highway
dealing with a motor vehicle accident. What about the near miss we never
realize because it happens with our personnel? This near miss is when we have a
firefighter volunteer or career that we lose because of personal issues. In my
28 years of the fire service the term suck–it-up has been used over and over,
but what happens to us when we can no longer suck-it-up. We lose that
firefighter by them quitting or burning out.
I attended a
conference in Illinois where they stressed our mental status so I brought that
training back to our department. I talked with my district trustees and was met
with overwhelming support for a EAP( employee assistance program). When I
called neighboring departments they had no idea of what I was talking about. 1
department out of 7 gave me a name. So we met and interviewed this company. We
are the first volunteer department to use their services. We have received our
first quarter report with them; we have had 3 of our firefighters or their
family members that have sought their assistance. It is totally anonymous so
when our firefighters seek their assistance they keep track of that but we do
not receive the names or problems. I can tell you that in that same 3 month
period I had no firefighters come in to say I have a problem, I need help. So
in reality did our department have 3 firefighter close calls in the last 3
months? Our firefighter close calls do not necessarily have to be physical injury!”
conference in Illinois where they stressed our mental status so I brought that
training back to our department. I talked with my district trustees and was met
with overwhelming support for a EAP( employee assistance program). When I
called neighboring departments they had no idea of what I was talking about. 1
department out of 7 gave me a name. So we met and interviewed this company. We
are the first volunteer department to use their services. We have received our
first quarter report with them; we have had 3 of our firefighters or their
family members that have sought their assistance. It is totally anonymous so
when our firefighters seek their assistance they keep track of that but we do
not receive the names or problems. I can tell you that in that same 3 month
period I had no firefighters come in to say I have a problem, I need help. So
in reality did our department have 3 firefighter close calls in the last 3
months? Our firefighter close calls do not necessarily have to be physical injury!”
