Topsfield Fire Chief Jen Collins-Brown explains the effects on firefighters of repeated exposure to trauma and talks about how her department strives to take care of both the emotional and physical health of its firefighters. Last November, the Arredondo Family Foundation provided firefighters with suicide prevention training.
A study was released last week from the United States Fire Administration that focused on the impact of repeated exposure to trauma on firefighters. The study recognized that firefighters come across a wide variety of tragic situations throughout their careers.
RET, or repeated exposure to trauma, is the cumulative effect of regularly caring for the broken bodies and wounded minds of victims and their families. It is thought to have a negative psychological impact on firefighters’ own mental health. Previous studies have looked at firefighter mental health challenges in the context of post-traumatic stress syndrome, which relies on assessment instruments attuned to one particular traumatic event. This study demonstrated that it is more common for firefighters to experience a negative mental health impact from a series of traumatic events, rather than from one single event.
Symptoms of RET for most firefighters include desensitization, irritability, cynicism and intrusive flashbacks. The study recommended further research on protective coping methods and resiliency.
The National Fallen Firefighter Foundation reports that fire departments are three times more likely to experience a suicide than a line-of-duty death. The Topsfield Fire Department is acutely aware of the devastating effects of suicide on a department. On April 14, 2015, the department lost one of its most enthusiastic Explorers to suicide. Matt Aquaro was an active leader in our Firefighter Explorer Post 311 and was looked up to by the younger members. A little over one year later, on May 7, 2016, the department responded to a request for medical assistance after a beloved call firefighter Brian Low died by suicide. The loss of these two wonderful men is felt in our department on a daily basis.
The leadership of the Topsfield Fire Department has always taken the care of its department members seriously. I have made the care of the whole firefighter, both physical and emotional, a cornerstone of my leadership of the department. Post-incident analysis activities are frequently done, and critical incident stress debriefings are held after significant incidents or when requested by staff. Exercise is encouraged while on duty to prevent injuries and to allow staff to perform at their highest level.
Last November, members of the Arredondo Family Foundation conducted two suicide-prevention training sessions for the Topsfield Fire Department. The foundation is a nonprofit organization that empowers Massachusetts military and public safety families in the prevention of work related suicides, and it provides support through education, financial relief and support services for military families. Melida Arredondo, with the help of Austin Scott and Kim Best, explained the signs and symptoms associated with people contemplating suicide. They gave participants information about resources that are available, and they explained how firefighters can provide assistance to people contemplating suicide.
The Department invited Topsfield Veteran’s Agent Richard Cullinan to participate in the training as he is on the front line interacting with our heroes from the military services. It is our hope that this training and emphasis will help us take better care of each other.
Arredondo Family
Carlos and Melida Arredondo are the co-founders of the Arredondo Family Foundation. Carlos lost his son, Alex, a U.S. Marine, in the war in Iraq. He then lost his younger son, Brian, to suicide. A bridge in Jamaica Plain was renamed in honor of his sons. You can read more about the family and their foundation at ArredondoFoundation.org.