Lakeland Fire Department addressing post-traumatic stress in firefighters
FOX 13 News Ken Suarez January 14, 2019
Until recently, firefighters were expect to work out their problems on their own and not share them. The result can be post-traumatic stress, or in more severe cases, post-traumatic stress disorder.
LAKELAND, Fla. (FOX 13) - If you think you’re stressed at work, imagine being a firefighter. They deal with people during the lowest points of their lives, while their house is burning, or just moments after a terrible, possibly fatal car crash.
What’s worse, according to Assistant Chief Rick Hertzog of the Lakeland Fire Department, it is difficult for firefighters to move on after experiencing an especially traumatic situation.
“We pass by these locations where we run these calls over and over again,” he told FOX 13, noting the stress “continues to build up inside of us until sometimes we are just unable to cope.”
Traditionally, if firefighters confided that they were having a hard time emotionally, they would have been told to just deal with it and move on.
“That's how they handled it, they buried those feelings down,” said Tom Howard, a trainer from Illinois Firefighter Peer Support. read more here
Local firefighters union Allentown 302 president speaks against PTSD
WFMZ 69 News Josh Rultenberg October 12, 2018
In a statement Schlossberg says "Jeremy Warmkessel's op-ed today couldn't have been more accurate. Our first responders deal with so much, and they deserve more than we are giving them now."
ALLENTOWN, Pa., - It's been almost two weeks since a man blew himself up in a car in Allentown along with his 2-year-old child and another man.
"Typically, we're not going to a scene of that magnitude on a regular basis and thank goodness for that," said the president of the local firefighters union Allentown 302 Jeremy Warmkessel.
But first responders did respond to the explosion which Warmkessel says hit home.
"Anytime that you have a situation that involves children, no matter what the situation is, I think people tend to take it a little bit harder," said Warmkessel.
That incident, among others, is why Warmkessel, wrote an op-ed about PTSD in the Morning Call.
"Inside Allentown in the last 20 years we've suffered three suicides. So it's real and it's on a grand scale," said Warmkessel. read more here
The more I think about the fact that older veterans have waited longer for all the benefits they fought so hard for, the more I want to scream "Stop getting out of the way and start leading it again!" Vietnam veterans led the way for gaining treatment and compensating for PTSD. Yes, that is right, old guys! The ones who did it without social media or even computers. Now we have First Responders being treated for what their jobs did to them. Oh, you guys get that, since most of you went into those careers too. Who else will they listen too other than those who walked the walk since before they were in baby walkers? You are the majority of veterans in this country. Sadly, veterans over the age of 50, are also the majority of the suicides. What are you waiting for? You have a lot of time on your hands now, so how about you use that time to actually make your golden years glitter? Go to PTSD Patrol and see if you can become the inspiration to save some lives, beginning with your own!
Ok, no filling up this post with links or pictures. No rants, like I've been doing lately. Just one, simple, pure thought.
You have no idea what can happen when you need help, until you ask for it.
Would you help your buddies?
Lyrics
Oh, why you look so sad, the tears are in your eyes, Come on and come to me now, and don't be ashamed to cry, Let me see you through, 'cause I've seen the dark side too. When the night falls on you, you don't know what to do, Nothing you confess could make me love you less,
I'll stand by you, I'll stand by you, won't let nobody hurt you, I'll stand by you
So if you're mad, get mad, don't hold it all inside, Come on and talk to me now. Hey there, what you got to hide? I get angry too, well, I'm alive like you. When you're standing at the cross roads, And don't know which path to choose, Let me come along, 'cause even if you're wrong
I'll stand by you, I'll stand by you, won't let nobody hurt you, I'll stand by you. Baby, even to your darkest hour, and I'll never desert you, I'll stand by you. And when, when the night falls on you baby, You're feeling all a lone, you're wandering on your own, I'll stand by you.
I'll stand by you, won't let nobody hurt you, I'll stand by you, baby even to your darkest hour, And I'll never desert you, I'll stand by you,
I'll stand by you. I'll stand by you, won't let nobody hurt you, I'll stand by you, baby even to your darkest hour, And I'll never desert you I'll stand by you
Songwriters: Thomas Kelly / Christine Hynde / Billy Steinberg
KY Firefighter Shares His Battle Against PTSD Firehouse August 24, 2018
Veteran Burlington firefighter Phil Hall opens up in this news segment about his struggle with PTSD after 18 years of witnessing difficult incidents.
Veterans warn suicidal soldiers' lives are being put at risk as Facebook blocks 'cry for help' site for British troops battling combat stress Daily Mail UK By MARK NICOL FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY 30 June 2018
Facebook deleted Fill Your Boots UK after saying content violated guidelines
Page was set up to help soldiers and veterans with Post traumatic stress disorder
But social media platform still hosted a jihadi propaganda page free to view
Facebook has shut down a page used by desperate soldiers seeking support for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – leading to fears it is putting lives at risk.
Soldiers suffering from combat induced traumas after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan would post ‘cries for help’ on the page on an almost daily basis according to its founder, ex-paratrooper Alfie Usher. Stock image
The social media giant closed Fill Your Boots UK (FYB UK) after claiming its content, which included discussions with mentally ill soldiers who were considering ending their lives, breached ‘community’ guidelines.
Soldiers suffering from combat induced traumas after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan would post ‘cries for help’ on the page on an almost daily basis according to its founder, ex-paratrooper Alfie Usher.
FYB UK would then issue SOS messages, asking other veterans to rush to their aid.
But last week the page was dramatically shut down without warning after an exchange of messages between Mr Usher and a former soldier who threatened to kill himself in reaction to the deaths of two of his soldiers who were blown up by Taliban bombs in Afghanistan.
read more here
Survey: Firefighters Struggling With Mental Health and PTSD NECN By Karen Hensel Feb 28, 2018
“You guys all signed up for PTS, that’s what you did when you became a firefighter," Lavoie cautions. "You’re not going to get out of this without some level of PTS.”
They don’t want it to get to “the disorder part of it,” meaning PTSD. It’s why the Worcester Fire Department agreed to share their message with NBC 10 Boston Investigators
Firefighters across the country and in Massachusetts are struggling with mental health issues and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to a study where NBC-owned stations partnered with the International Association of Firefighters to anonymously survey firefighters.
The groundbreaking survey gives insight into the everyday challenges facing firefighters.
Long-time Worcester, Massachusetts firefighters talked openly with the NBC10 Boston Investigators about the 1999 Cold Storage Warehouse fire, a subject which few have spoken about publicly. That is part of the issue and now, 18 years later, they face it head-on.
The Parkland, Florida school shooting had the nation gripped with emotions of grief and anger. The focus was initially on the families of the 17 killed and the mental health of the shooter. Unseen was the emotional toll on first responders. read more here
Facebook does a great thing when they put together memories on certain dates. Today, this reminder came up from 2 years ago. Peer support works better than anything else, but first they need to know that you will be there for them. Grab one of these pictures and use it to try to save someone you think may need to talk. Let them know you understand and you are there for them. After all, isn't that the way it was when you were in combat together? Grab them and save them Combat PTSD Wounded Times Repost from February 18, 2016 How many times have you wondered why someone didn't ask for help or let you know they needed you? How many times have you wished that you let them know you were there for them no matter what they needed? Sometimes people just can't find the words. Other times they can think of what to say but their buddy just didn't ask. Remind them that in combat, not asking for help or all the support they could get, ended up getting buddies killed. Asking for help now is no different and they mean no less to you now than back then.
Send these or upload onto Facebook if you think one of your buddies needs help and you don't know how to offer it.
Make sure you put your contact information in it and when they can get a hold of you.
If you have a non-profit and think of using these to raise funds or awareness for yourself, don't try it. These are for veterans to use for their buddies, not for you to use to make money off them. New addition
I just got back from the Point Man International Ministries conference in Buffalo New York. I came back restored and, honestly blown away by what the others are doing. To think our group has been working on combat PTSD with veterans, as well a families, since 1984, it shows that works outweigh stunts everyday. Dana Morgan, the President of Point Man, and his wife Susan, put together a meeting I will never forget.
When you live fearlessly, big stuff doesn't intimidate, but I did have to have one of the guys help me get out of that chair! It was easier getting into it.
Some of our Point Man Family Dana Morgan-New York, Marcus King-Oklahoma, Paul Sluznis-Washington, Tim Pollock-Ohio and Jay McGee-Colorado
Bunny and Mike Burch, passing on the Wall ministry to Tim Pollock
Image Bunny took at The Wall
The Homefront Circle
Rosemary Williams presents Diana Henderson-Army Veteran, with "Forgiven" dog tag
This is the message most of the veterans say is the most powerful. It isn't just knowing they are forgiven by God, but finding peace when they are able to forgive themselves, for whatever they believe they need to be forgiven for.
Jay McGee talking about homeless veterans and Crawford House
I was thinking about how much we have been doing for veterans because of our beliefs that we are in fact our brother's keepers as well as being sent where we are for a reason. All too often, when I'm questioning how we can get past all the talk online about folks claiming to be doing nothing, but getting noticed, when we're actually working and doing, but not talking talking about it. At least folks are not hearing us when we do. Then something always seems to happen to remind me that no matte what, God always let's me know what really matters.
I was looking at the clouds on the flight home. Do you see what I see?
From a distance, it seems to be standing on the clouds instead of being a part of it.
With a closer look, a form could be seen clearer.
It looks like the cloud is walking and you can see in the shadow, the image that looks like a man.
Videos will be up tomorrow of the next day.
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WBEN 930 AM David (born November 10, 1975) is an American Iraq War veteran who was awarded the Silver Star for his actions during the Second Battle of Fallujah. Bellavia has also received the Bronze Star, three Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals and the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross. He has also been nominated for the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross. In 2005, Bellavia was inducted into the New York Veterans' Hall of Fame.[1] He has subsequently been involved with politics in Western New York State. Bellavia was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. He attended Franklin Pierce College in Rindge, New Hampshire and the University at Buffalo.
In this video David said that Vietnam veterans are the greatest generation and I happen to agree! David began with telling us about Police diver Craig E. Lehner on Saturday night. Sadly, Officer Lehner's body was recovered a few days later.
