LIST June 27, 2011
Canadian Suicide
Services Are HERE: http://suicidehotlines.com/canada.html
Hey,
As you read yesterday, Philadelphia Firefighter John “Jack”
Slivinski Jr. lost his life to suicide. A beloved Firefighter,
he had followed his father into PFD’s Rescue 1, but on Saturday, the
former Marine was found dead. He was found, reportedly, by his
father, Jack Sr, who is still an active Firefighter. Jack
Sr also had served in Rescue 1, and the son slept in his old bunk. Word is
that they were inseparable. They did everything together.
Lt. Derrick Harvey, died when he went into a house fire to help Slivinski
and another Firefighter. A friend said Slivinski kept a small memorial to
Harvey in his home, using Harvey’s helmet. Besides his Dad, he is survived by
his wife, Carla; his mother, Gerry; and a sister, Jennifer Wysocki.
we also had a young and very promising Firefighter/Paramedic take his own life
last week. The young Firefighter was dealing with some personal issues and, for
reasons that perhaps we’ll never know, took his own life. He too was
“close” to an actual Line of Duty death issue as was FF
Slivinski, in Philadelphia.
in our service-but one we struggle to talk about, reach out about-or
certainly even deal with personally. But it is very real. It may be easy
to suggest people “suck it up” – but it’s not that simple. Whatever
the issue is, it is their
issue, not ours or yours-but one we can sometimes help with when we sense
“something” is wrong. Suicide is pretty subjective, in other words,
what may be a “life ending” consideration for some people may be
something that you and I may be able to blow off. It all depends on how we each
cope with “stuff”, the reasons are as different as people are
different – but without question, it is an issue in our business.
Here is a USA Today
article on rescuer suicide:
HERE is information from
the IAFF on SUICIDE:
cause suicide? We certainly don’t. But what we do know is that there is help
out there. We also know that in this extremely “busy” world, it may be
easy to miss signs-if there are any. It may also be nearly impossible for those
contemplating taking their own life to reach out, when they think those who
care are simply to busy. They don’t wanna bother you. They don’t want to be a
burden. They…whatever.
removed from being a mental health professional as they come. But I do
know folks who do know. They have very personally been there. They can help.
They have time.
FFCC page information: https://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/news/fullstory/newsid/116712
actual FFCC page and articles: https://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/personal-survival.php
National Website: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
only (due to logistics) symposium on suicide (and related mental
health) in the fire service on July 12th and 13th in Baltimore
Md. The nation’s leading researchers/practitioners will be in attendance
including representatives of the following fire and EMS organizations:
International Association of Fire Fighters, AFL-CIO
International Association of Fire Chiefs
National Volunteer Fire Council
National Associations of EMS Physicians
National Fire Protection Association
North American Fire Training Directors
Women in Fire and Emergency Services
National Association of Fire Chaplains
folks who will certainly share all they come up with, so we can all learn.
Lifeline is 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Canadian Suicide
Services Are HERE: http://suicidehotlines.com/canada.html
HERE is the National Website: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
