All, We regret to pass on that a Paramedic with the Little Rock (Arkansas) Metropolitan Emergency Medical Services died in the Line of Duty from injuries sustained during last week’s Little Rock Marathon, as part of the EMS bike team. Major Dean Douglas was initially severely … [Read more...]
An off-duty FDNY EMT who died in a fiery crash on Staten Island appeared to die by suicide by speeding into the side of a school building, according to several sources with knowledge of the investigation. Vladimir Sabatelli, 24, was behind the wheel of a Dodge … [Read more...]
Here is the radio traffic from last night's horrific incident in Waukesha. As difficult as it is to listen to, it is an opportunity for all of us to learn from what is available so far-and compare it to our own current policies related to crowd events, MCI, terrorism, … [Read more...]
Burnout: Firefighter trauma rises in the American West
Cal Fire Battalion Chief Miguel Watson wakes to the wind whipping through the trees. The whole night is ahead of him. He lies there and then, feeling restless, gets up and walks to his pickup truck. He listens to the radio, and if he finds a fire in a neighboring district in … [Read more...]
With climate change fueling lengthier wildfire seasons and mega-blazes devour forests and rural communities, researchers have documented increasing mental health struggles among those on the front lines. CHECK THIS OUT: … [Read more...]
Number of Unified Firefighters Seeking Mental Health Support Doubles
SALT LAKE CITY — Mental health continues to be a growing concern among first responders. Molly Doyle never knows when that call is going to come. None of them do. It's the nature of being a firefighter. "My job is to drive the engine to whatever call that is," said Doyle, … [Read more...]
I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead
By Jacqueline Toomey The culture of “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” is killing firefighters. The burgeoning discussion within the fire service regarding mental health and wellness needs to stop making claims about causes behind mental health problems and wake up to the dark, … [Read more...]