The president of the California Professional Firefighters Association is speaking publicly about his struggles with addiction, trauma, and a past suicide attempt in an effort to confront what he calls a growing crisis among firefighters.
Brian Rice said four active-duty firefighters in California have died by suicide in the past 90 days, prompting him to share his story with ABC 30 as he prepares to retire after more than 40 years in the fire service.
Rice said his own suicide attempt years ago came after he struggled to cope with the loss of his father early in his life. Such trauma can be compounded by the cumulative toll of repeated exposure to traumatic calls. He urged firefighters to seek help dealing with trauma, especially if they have suicidal thoughts.
Mental health advocates and other fire officials echoed the message. There has been progress in reducing stigma around seeking mental health help, but barriers remain. The story was reported by ABC 30.
