The Final Call: Why Firefighters Commit Suicide | Fault Lines

Suicide rates are on the increase among firefighters in the United States.
They are three times more likely to die by suicide than in line of duty, according to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), an organisation chartered by Congress to honour and provide support to the families of firefighters killed on the job.
They routinely witness traumatic events as they are called to the scenes of mass shootings, homicides, suicides, road accidents, and instances of child abuse, among myriad other incidents.
While researching this story, Fault Lines spoke at length to Tim Casey, a former firefighter-paramedic who posted videos online about his traumatic memories and his struggle with trauma and depression.
Three weeks before we were set to interview Casey on camera, he killed himself.
What is behind the high number of first responder suicides in the US? And why isn't more done to address depression and PTSD?
Through the story of Casey and other firefighters like him, Fault Lines investigates this hidden epidemic and asks who is ultimately responsible for addressing depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicide in America's fire service.
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[@SledgeHammer43]

I understand this. I too have battled this, as a firefighter for 2 decades. I have battled with PTSD for 3 decades. I is a horrible battle that most will never understand. The faces that are embedded, the way they died, the what ifs we question ourselves with. Be strong my brothers and sisters get help even if it is away from the job.

[@SledgeHammer43]

Most of us don't realize it is time to seek help until we are steering down the barrel of our own gun.

[@katrinkagivens4401]

I respect all f.f.\ paramedics I understand to a degree because we do see the results of the patient trauma. I had a patient I was observing because he had tried to commit suicide by drinking anti freeze! Just to watch him suffer it really affected me because they were doing so much to try and save him. I don't know if he had lasting affects of his injury. Another incident affected me also my grandma's male friend did commit suicide by shooting himself in the chest with a hand gun when I was 8yrs old. The thing about this is he would always saying he was going to die or be dead. We were told Me. Fred was drunk and don't worry he will sleep it off but he didn't he died on Easter Sunday 1978!

[@Lady-sl9hx]

Katrinka Givens Hi Katrinka. Do you work here in the states? I could really use some advice from the perspective of a female FF

[@SledgeHammer43]

@@katrinkagivens4401 One in particular that sticks in my mine is, it was spring break 1996 I was out for a drive when I spotted 3 children playing on a beach near a river not far from some fishermen as I had taken a drive through a park. I had gotten about 15 minutes further in my drive away from that point when a call had come in of 3 children and Fisherman in the water at that location. We found out later that the children were on their own from a nearby neighborhood. The children were 9,8 and 6 years old, and the fisherman who had tried to save them was in his 30s or 40s. I don't think I will ever forget their lifeless bodys that we recovered some hours later, or that cameraman who was trying to get pictures for the newspaper, or the mothers who were cousins when they got to the park looking for their children. I became a parent myself just a few years later. I was and probably always will be a over protective parent mostly because of the different things I have seen. But those and others faces have haunted me ever since I have had encounters with them including the first one from my childhood. Since I started getting help the haunting has lessened and the faces have started to fadeaway.

[@GamingKingdome]

Hope your doing ok, love from Scotland United Kingdom 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧❤️🇺🇸

[@PeteV80]

I watched a father and daughter's car explode in an accident, and others in the same accident be horribly hurt. We airlifted one out with a crushed head. It happened in front of me as we were working on the scene of another call on the other side of the highway. My wife has recently told me she thinks its bothering me more than I think - that I get RAGE-filled at drivers making minor mistakes, and generally seem depressed. I've agreed to talk to someone -- if anyone else is experiencing the same, give it shot.

[@paulbraunstein2290]

I’m very sorry that you witnessed all this. It is a very complex situation you and so many firefighters have to see; the fragility and unfairness of life. We deserve help

[@gfx260]

Women who care about you and often very sensitive to your temperament. My GF notices when something is on my mind often before i even know something is actually bothering me.

[@quantumfineartsandfossils2152]

Thank you for your sacrifice, I am so sorry that the trauma of the most vulnerable has been forced on you as your burden all alone, we will pay your heroism forward, if it were not for your sacrifice: life, science & freedom would not be possible you are a hero.

[@notlisted-cl5ls]

cars dont explode. ur watching too much chicago fire there friendo.

[@voidofmisery4810]

awe I love you ❤

[@palkiaking6802]

Retired firefighter/paramedic for 2 months now. Was in the service for 20+ yrs, things I see and experience still haunts me and gives me nightmares. I had to choose retirement for my mental health, my ptsd was so bad that I couldn’t step foot inside the firehouse. What I’m glad for is my loved ones pushed me to see a therapist. It’s helping a little bit but the nightmares is still there and still haunts me a little bit. But I can bare it a little better.

[@quantumfineartsandfossils2152]

Thank you for your sacrifices, they are not in vain, in this shared sphere of existence you make life, science & freedom possible, we will pay it forward, you are a hero.

[@palkiaking6802]

@@quantumfineartsandfossils2152 thank you for your support. Sometimes when I hear people say only military personnel can and will get ptsd. Gets me aggravated, but in fact anyone that have been through a traumatic event or seen something that no one should ever see will haunt u which makes it ptsd. It’s the stigma of ptsd that makes plenty of us that suffers from it. Is afraid to speak out and seek help, at first I was afraid of what people will think of me, someone who can’t sleep well at nights for the nightmares from some of the horrific scenes I’ve responded to, and some of the orders I had to give that caused lives lost due to having to protect my men or the neighboring homes. While knowing what the order I had to give to pull out means. Or giving my men “x” amount of time in search and rescue before having to open the water canons to out the fire knowing what that will do. Still haunts me to this day, still can’t face some of the men’s family that I’ve lost. What makes us first responders that suffers from ptsd from dealing help is the stigma and we are supposed to be brave but now we’re weak cuz of the ptsd. What I hope and pray is that our govt will start support us first responders more.

[@quantumfineartsandfossils2152]

@@palkiaking6802 I agree you should be supported more everything you are describing here all your protocols of action in the decisions you have to make makes perfect sense to me. I am extremely extremely grateful for your sacrifice. You are obviously an organized compassionate but responsible professional in everything you do you have this innate talent and skill and how you respond to people and explain to them how events happened and the decisions that you have to make and you understand mathematics and its relationship with human life. If it were not for you & your team & men we would have no science there would be no humanity there would be no political creative or atmospheric world for global events to unfold I want you to know that. I live in Highland Park which as you know had a recent terrorist attack that murdered some of my neighbors and many of our departments it’s illegal for them to smoke marijuana when they are not working I think that firemen should be able to consume marijuana products when they are not working as well as a treatment for PTSD. I believe you and I think it’s on scientific and wrong the way firemen are not being supported and I agree they should be supported. God bless you your teammates and your family for all of eternity thank you for this education and response I will pay all of what you have done forward. I will look out for all of your brothers and sisters that I encounter♥️🇺🇸 you are a hero💯👍 God loves you.

[@laraoneal7284]

I have such respect and admiration for EMTS and Paramedics.

[@Ashes2Ashes_Blush2Blush]

This makes me want to start a program to spread awareness about these men and women are in the medical and firefighters field who desperately need help. I feel inspired to become a part of that that is absolutely Horrendous and unacceptable that there is only one man taking care of that data

[@humbleone6405]

All military And first responders should have some type of safety net to fall back on as we all experience things that we don't talk about that stick in our mind for life, even after we leave the job or retire. Most police and fireman leave and are forgotten about in no time..but we don't forget.

[@Biffo1262]

I served in the UK fires services for over 25 years and yes, seven of my friends and colleagues took their own lives BUT, to the best of my knowledge none of them was directly work related i.e. affected enough by one or a series of traumatic incidents. Could it be that we are sensitive, caring people and perhaps therefore more emotional than other people. The divorce rate is high in all of our emergency services due to the pressure of long shifts and poor pay and this too has its effects. I really don't think the suicide rate has any direct correlation with a particular side of firefighting but more an accumulation of circumstances and events in the job as a whole.

[@s-om6962]

Im a fire fighter..i dont agree mate...ptsd kills..im almost there myself.

[@krystalmccullough8920]

​@@s-om6962 I hope you are doing better. I had highs and lows, but the best advice I can give you is LET IT OUT! I don't personally know you, but if you need someone to talk to, you can always reach out to me. Hang tight brother. You can, and WILL, make it through this. 🙏

[@AA-bs3iy]

Idk why people can't understand why so many first responders commit suicide, they see things that nobody should ever see over and over again. You see mangled bodies, tell someone the person the life revolves around isn't there anymore. You truly see the worst side if the world all the time like it's normal. That will make anyone not want to be living in it.

[@sanyogsridhar1799]

I'm not a firefighter. But having served in the military and seen some things similar, I know what this feels like. It saddens me to see this today and remember the time I wanted to do something, too :(

[@cameronjohn604]

Recently involved in a training accident involving a ladder truck evolution. Once in a lifetime accident. I almost lost my brother on the end of the ladder. I was operating the pump and it was my hand that pressed the button that set off the chain reaction. It was deemed "not operator error," but rather a massive mechanical failure. I've been on 6 years in the largest and busiest department in western Canada, I've seen my share so far in regards to calls. But to be involved in an accident where I thought I killed my fellow brother has been really hard to deal with. Fortunately our department is backing me in seeking help. I don't think the general public really knows what we deal with on a regular basis. May God bless all of you brothers and sisters. Please reach out before it's too late.

[@Jack-oz4bf]

My mom is going through this right now. She's retired going crazy a fifteen year veteran forced into retirement due to injury now she's going stir crazy. She's diagnosed with everything from A to Z on loads of pills. But she's retired and forgotten. Its sad.

[@jrr3944]

Im so sorry hope things get better

[@juanramirez5898]

If there is a god up there. She will be rewarded in the end. She loved more than she will ever know. Her courage is out of this world. 💘

[@79s130]

In ‘97 i was called onto duty for a trailer fire. And after waiting 20 minutes for the others to arrive, Chief said go ahead and get the truck started, its just us. We arrived and we struggled for a good hour and a half to put it out. We hadn’t been given enough information to know what the cause was, and so we had to keep our distance. After the Fire had been put out, I was given to clear to enter, And i’ll never forget what i had To do that day. Having to pull a little girl out of that mess, Seeing her in the condition she was in and knowing she suffered in her death. Ive always felt guilty and responsible for it. If i hadn’t obeyed protocol and jumped in anyways, I could’ve possibly saved her. Having to see her mothers face, That moment when they realize what’s happened. Having to be the person that shows them the reality of the situation. Of course many people blamed us and scolded us for not jumping in, saying everything i had basically already realized i could’ve done differently .That’s a situation you never get used to, And one that unfortunately many of us face quite commonly. Ive faced many worse fires in my career, but its never been the fires that are the worst part of the job, its the human lives and casualties you’ve been entrusted with saving and protecting. Because you’re only human, and you cant be expected to save them all, even though thats the basis of your job. To all my fellow servicemen and women. I know it can be tough but you just gotta keep pushing. Dont dwell on those you couldn’t save. Think about the one who you will save. Those who still need you. Have a good day

[@gfx260]

You are not responsible for her death. That sounds like a horrible experience and I understand why it would confuse you with feelings of guilt.

[@orionmichael7878]

It's being a paramedic that puts 85% of the stress into the job.

[@belllarosa]

🌷💛💚🌷have so much appreciation and respect for firemen. There's simply not enough compensation for what they do. Definitely a need for continuous ptsd counseling and support ❤️

[@millieo7155]

"ONGOING" is the critical word. There may be times of increased frequency but what has happened in the past fades, it can lose it's potency but you don't forget. Ongoing is the critical word.

[@Rowingstud]

Honestly, this strikes way way way to close to home. Words fail, fall flat, and do injustice to the impact this job has on all of us. I found this video after searching suicides and firefighters. There's no way I know how...to...emote all I've seen, and been impacted by, to my wife. This sucks. Trapped is a good word.

[@1339LARS]

PLEASE REACH OUT !!

[@NB-im6od]

Thank you so much for posting

[@DOC-Jake-]

Been there ! Mirror image. I don’t want to loose anymore ! We all work to help others. Let’s help each other. I’m at a program now. Did it all prior asking for help. We as fellow workers owe it to each other. I’m here to help my co workers.

[@notcomatose6602]

My friend in high school had a brother who became a fireman. His dad was the Chief. Mark was new and went into the fire without his ventilator to rescue someone and was overcome. Such a tragedy. It is a very dangerous job. One wonders how hard they are pushed. Why do they commit suicide. Dentists too have high suicide rate too.

[@sergeantwolverinehulk8554]

"Seeking Help is not a sign of weekness!" - Paul Combs

[@jerome198888]

Seeking for help is a sign for professionalism

[@richiepinon3731]

I've been a firefighter since I was 17 years old. I'm 35 so I understand what it's like. This is a good but sad video.

[@cartconrad4426]

RIP brother I'm medical ret firefighter now with PTSD c pain and massive blood clots

[@angelam4157]

This is even more relevant at this time in our world... all our service and front line person's need support. From the medical staff in the hospital, to the police, fire and EMT's on the street. Loosing someone on your watch is one of the hardest things to cope with and what had me leaving ER at a trauma center. The stress hits hard and while most can deal with it, like me, in smaller doses, the deaths and trauma pile on and it becomes difficult to block it out and you begin to loose faith. When all you see at times for weeks on end is drama, death and bad news, it wears on you and you either start to loose your humanity and compassion, or you have issues with letting it go and you focus on it. As a front line person, we are trained to not react and just do our jobs in the best of our ability, and behind the scenes help for mental trauma is not the greatest. Not to mention that if you utilize it, it literally could be your job and livelihood. We need more ambiguous mental health counseling that will not risk your job.

[@abigailbp9294]

My lord we need to do more to help and to change this. These folks are the real heroes whether they commit suicide or not and ought to be honored as such. I also want to say that this is excellent journalism.

[@thelovelylandofmary1883]

That's so sad.

[@aydenburris8631]

I've been in the Fire/EMS service for almost a year, I'd have to say our most common calls are lift assist and suicide related calls, either the person is suicidal, or they've already taken their own life. First call I went on with a casualty was a suicide, his family was at home when he did it. I understand the Fiancee in this video seeming emotionally reserved or even angry at her Fiance for commiting suicide. How I've experienced it on calls makes me feel a bit angry at people who commit suicide. It's rough, I should feel bad for them, but when you take your own life, you hurt everyone around you. I've never seen a suicidal patient in so much emotional pain that they are left screaming in horror, but I see it in the families. It's not an end to the pain, it just sends it off to other people, and it's much worse when they get to experience it.

[@riely8991]

Alcohol makes nightmares way worse, drinking works only in the moment but always fails or worsens things in the end. Prescription meds aren't all that better because you become just as dependent.

[@eilenekellogg7017]

Didn't know this was a problem!, Didn't really think about it! I'm truly sorry!

[@ellishastings9350]

We do it because no one understands or cares.

[@berenicei.7283]

Ellis Hastings but they don't tell anyone or seek the help they need😭😭😭😭 i want to hug all of them

[@toddlavigne6441]

bullshit....this guy had a woman who cared and there is always help this doesn't make this loss any less tragic, but spare me the violins

[@laraoneal7284]

Ellis Hastings No one wants to talk about anything unpleasant. It’s disgusting. I’m sick of these types of ppl. I’m sorry if you have experienced this. I know I have. God bless you.

[@juanramirez5898]

@@toddlavigne6441 dont judge man. We are all direrent. You dont know that person's past. So the way you would react in his place is different. I had to learn this tru out life. This is what sympathy is to me.

[@toddlavigne6441]

Wasn't judging at all...I believe you have to be in a lot of pain to kill yourself, but these professionals have every resource available to them. Anyone killing themselves is heartbreaking because in most instances, they can get better. They really have to be in emotional agony and I feel for them believe me.

[@werebilbyj4449]

This has also got to do with budget cuts as well. Fire fighters were never meant to be paramedics. They were only meant to be fire fighters. As he was saying, their jobs are now 80% medical and 20% fire fighting/rescue. That is not what they signed up for. It's disgusting that there are no mental health standards or that it's not a priority. But doesn't surprise me, it's only taken 100 years for the armed forces to admit to such a thing as PTSD so probably another 100 - 200 to admit that it happens to civvy forces as well. Not that they are doing anything about it.

[@jamaalbey1766]

Werebilby J firefighters are nothing more than an arsonist when there’s no fire they start a fire to have a job

[@jonclem2269]

Now I know you have no idea what you’re talking about .

[@erikaraus2227]

Firefighters aren’t even allowed to purchase life insurance, yet their budget is 1/10 of what police departments is.

[@eilenekellogg7017]

No you are greatly appreciated, and loved. What would we do without you?

[@Lugnut-uv7ff]

It’s worse when it’s a kid. It’s hard to sleep with it.

[@bluucrushkakes3623]

Pretty scary job.. outmost respect for these guys God bless..

[@thomasfiori7259]

I wish he would have gotten the help he needed but maybe he's passed to teach us this to teach us that we need to fix this and to push it to the point where it's zero firefighters/paramedics a year I unfortunately don't know if that'll happen but I'm optimistic that it will

[@laraoneal7284]

Just proves there IS STILL A STIGMA TALKING ABOUT DEPRESSION AND GETTING PPL TO TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY. It is disgusting that we have made no headway whatsoever on this devestating matter.

[@cameronjohn604]

Thank you for saying that Lara. I do understand the stigma as the career attracts many competitive, athletic, and type "A" personalities. That's also what makes our teams so effective at saving lives. It's a tough situation to just get everyone to "open up." But we are making headway and improvements, speaking for Canadian fire departments anyway. Cheers.

[@laraoneal7284]

@@cameronjohn604 God bless you. Hope things continue to get better. Our world is a cesspool sorry to say. Ppl have no compassion as a rule.

[@codysalazar8106]

I have been dispatched to multiple extrications to where i arrive on scene and the people inside have passed away, I've cut the cab of semi's that have flipped pinning the drivers arm between the ground and the cab the entire time he was screaming help ,het me out..I've seen bodies torn apart and its never botherd me... 2 years ago we get dispatched for a lift assist to help our paramedics..a dad and daughter out having fun on a side by side..the dirt caight the tired causing it to flip killing the father ..i get on scene and all i could her is the daughter screaming for her dad and crying in the back of the ambulance after all i seen that is the call that did me in ....i was having nightmares waking up crying screaming im sorry i couldnt save you..i got suicidal my drinking got really bad i put the barrel to my mouth multiple times but i couldnt do it..brothers and sister's don't give up i know it's hard and it seems like its never gonna get better or go away..but it does i love you all please do not give up please

[@yousrich46]

PTSD is a real thing and it kills a man from mentally. I know a good friend of my dad who’s a firefighter, during one of his first weeks he was responding to a car crash caused by a drunk driver that collided head on into the car of a young girl that was driving home from school, she was stuck with her legs and they had to remove the doors and roof of the car. His Luitenant told him to get into the car next to her and keep her talking and awake, she was conscious for about 5 more minutes but they couldn’t tell she had severe internal bleeding and was slowly slipping away. He said he could see life slipping away moments before her heart stopped, the firefighter says he wakes up sometimes from nightmares because he sees the same moments over and over again.

[@TheFlatEarthChannelcom]

My friend is a firefighter and he told me recently he wanted to commit suicide. I was surprise. But it looks like this is a thing

[@noelleabra147]

Unless you know 110% that your employer's crisis team or peer help is truly successful, seek your own help, even if it takes a while to find a good therapist. Don't quit. Are you ever just at work wondering "I haven't seen so-and-so in a while. Did they quit?" Well at my work, AMR In SoCal, they didn't quit. They opened up to peer support, who were just regular field emts and medics. The "anononymous" confessions and venting magically ends up with management bullying you and questioning every mistake you make, even just parking the rig weird until you either quit or they force you to quit by saying "You're a danger to your partner and the community" and take your livelihood away. EMS is a very abusive "family." Find someone outside of work to confide in.

[@dondressel4802]

My father was a firefighter as well as my moms dad my grandfather and my brother-in-law my sisters husband None of them had this issue This is the first time I’ve heard of this Now my ex-brother-in-law was a cop Between him and his cop buddies they all drink like fish probably due to what they see

[@lsp_showtek94]

Firefighters need to be more praised, im from the uk and im not sure if it still happens but whenever they would respond to calls they would have idiots throwing stones at them when they are trying to save people.

[@jeancater1388]

So sad.

[@willlothridge3197]

Tasted the barrel and was squeezing, couldn’t leave my kids without their dad.

[@muff.t2780]

Good man. Depression comes with the job. All too easily we forget the times when things went right and you made a difference. We all dwell on the "What ifs". Stay strong for your family👊

[@awakenministry2004]

Proud of you Will. Your emotional and physical bravery is deeply admired! I pray you are now able to help others and have gotten help yourself. Thank you for being raw and sharing.

[@schemer1991]

I met a firefighter a longtime ago who passed away from suicide long time ago back in July 2012 I met that guy back in the early 1990s who worked as a firefighter with my father when he was a firefighter back in the early 1980s like 1985 in Sturgis Michigan

[@gabrielwood9345]

MENTLE HEALTH. Should be 1st on the list

[@jamescalderallen4919]

I had to drag an 84 year old man with 3rd degree burns to his legs, torso, arms, and neck up an embankment put of a wild brush fire while he stared me in the eyes with this look of "please don't leave me here to die" and 4 days later he had succumb to his injuries. I see that man's icey blue eyes everywhere now.

[@ronthorn3]

Jesus Christ

[@jamescalderallen4919]

@@ronthorn3 terrible scenes

[@artisticdriver4218]

Don’t You Dare Give Up! Y’all see the faces of evil on your front lines. Trust God In The Valley

[@colbythurston960]

I know how these people are feeling EMT in Wyoming and I County less than 2,000 have had 9 fatalities in the last 4 months in a small community like this I have no one 4 them it does weigh on a person

[@Tmlps2]

It's my hope that you reach out & call a counselor/crisis worker to speak with. You are important, so taking care of you is a top priority. Please remember that.

[@colbythurston960]

I don't have a problem but I can see how it bothers some people that's a hard thing to see on a day-to-day basis

[@cameronwendling4277]

Where should an EMT go for help after seeing those kinds of things. (I’ve been working for about 3 years)

[@paulproductions9213]

A hero save lives.

[@rachelfreeders356]

I wish I could watch this but my volume is ALL the way up and I can barely hear this.

[@Strawberree]

You should maybe check on your ears, that's a bit concerning

[@sparetent]

I love EMS and I love my job. I've had to deal with many difficult scenarios, and I can totally relate to these experiences talked about here. Watching a Family as they greave over a broken young body you're trying desperately to mend. Lying to someone's face that everything will be ok. Going home to my Family, and lying when asked "did you have a good day?". Would I give it up? No, I hope I never have to. Because despite all that, just being able to turn someones's worse nightmare day into something fractionally positive, is undiscribable. Recently howver, I find the new mask mandates and impending experimental shot mandates extremely depressing. I have always advocated for my patient's rights, and now have mine stripped away! Haven't I given enough already?! I learned in my EMT class, that surgical masks do not protect against contagious viruses! So why are we being forced to wear them on EVERY single call?! It's like asking a Police Officer to wear cardboard body armor, because it offers "some" protection, which is better than none! I feel like EMS is being taken away from me, the ONE thing I love to do most in this life, all because of having to use face diapers. I'd sign a waiver if I could, but of course that's not allowed. All I want to do is help people.

[@schemer1991]

Long time ago sturgis Michigan had a firefighter committed suicide 8 years ago it will be 8 years ago a Sturgis Michigan firefighter left his wife and his 8 children and shot himself with a shotgun in front of his house ran into the woods couple days later 45 person search found that firefighter dead the first colleague from sturgis fire department first firefighter ever that took own his own life from a Suicide back on July 28 2012

[@gbaca07]

I went through a painful divorce and custody for over 6 years with no support. That was exactly what my ex wanted me to do.

[@zachfaust4575]

Law Enforcement goes through the same suicide rate as well

[@marquisdehoto1638]

It's so sad that there is such a lack of help for those people 🙄 I don't know about other counties... but are there psychological help for firefighters/paramedics? I believe in my country there are specially trained psychologists to talk thinks over with. But I don't know how high the suicide rate is in my contry for those profesions.

[@mickmoffitt2859]

Does anyone know how to get in touch with Jeff Dill mentioned in this video?

[@nonesuch444]

This just started playing how odd , having lost most of my closest friends this is not helpfull it seems like rather sorted mind control . ,

[@Peppermint1]

"When I'll grow I want to be a firefighter to save people!" Little did the little kid know firefighter actually rarely fights with fire, mostly deals with traumatic events, car accidents, etc They are called First Responder for a reason. I wonder if the technical colleges really screen their candidates. And didn't even started to talk about cancer incidence from highly toxic fumes during an actual fire.

[@Strawberree]

They are still heroes to me, with or without the mental illness that comes with it, and imitation is the most sincere form of flattery :) so probably why they want to be firefighters

[@Peppermint1]

@@Strawberree A good reason we should have respect for paramedics, cops and firefighters

[@TheFlatEarthChannelcom]

Fire fighters don’t get paid enough to deal with that

[@Rhys2015]

No where in the world is much being done about mental health firefighters work through all different types of call outs, they see the worst of the outcomes.

[@carlabroderick5508]

As an MD I’d like to know if these firefighters are treated for depression. They must be insured.

[@marquisdehoto1638]

Since it's the US I guess the answer is more likely no instead of yes🙄

[@cameronjohn604]

Carla in British Columbia, Canada, WorkSafe BC is now just beginning to accept and diagnose PTSD as a legit condition. As it's fairly new, the key is documentation and record keeping along the way in our career. After any call that is bad we are encouraged to put in an "exposure," into the record log. This is "evidence" for lack of a better word towards having claims accepted and being diagnosed with PTSD. Hope that helps.

[@BLKSHARK_43]

I can understand why for fire fighters

[@aishahussain9653]

they should be given paid holidays ...every few months..there should be on the job counselling ...there should be retirement benefits...there should be regular weekend on the job talk session about specifically cases which are bothering these hardworking...always there people ! who give it their all ! and the holidays and time off should be made compulsory !! no matter what !and in extreme cases they should be allowed to contact the families of the affectees...and have a conversation..just for the sake of closure...nothing else , in the end everyone is a human being ...doing something does not desensitise someone to such a degree that they will stop caring...! salut to all these unsung heroes..who show up with help and a warm blanket when people need it the most . its literally everyones duty to be there for them when they need it!

[@ducaticanine]

is that Daniel Craig interviewing? lol

[@1339LARS]

+carmine matarazzo NO !!

[@laraoneal7284]

They must have CPTSD, all in these professions. Does EDMR Cognitive therapy work for this type of PTSD. Please investigate this type of therapy. Please.

[@gbaca07]

If people want to die, leave them alone. I'd love to be 32 again.

[@childofgod5024]

God loves and cares about us so much that he let his Son Jesus Christ die so that our sins will be forgiven and we will go to heaven where there is no suffering if we just believe and leave our sinful ways. It does not look like God loves us because of all the bad things happening but he truly does. I know because he helped me countless times and i know he will help all of you too if you believe in him, ask and be patience. God bless all of you

[@Junior716]

God bless you too. Stress and guilt is something I deal with even only being a firefighter for a few months.

[@Dovietail]

So where's the union in this? Where's the leadership???

[@lourdesgarcia5601]

the drinking alcohol will do it to you, it's worse to drink because alcohol withdrawal is brutal and add to that the tragedies they have to deal with, I will recommend turning to god instead, pray to Jesus especially in those moments when you feel desperate

[@majorssimworld2364]

While I appreciate your comment I have a real problem thinking good or Jesus would let us see the things we see, things no one should ever see or smell or do, let alone let people do to others the things they do. I have been in emergency services for 25 years. I keep doing it so I can stop my colleagues from seeing the things I have seen. To say you wait here, I'll check, I'll go first, I'm already broken, I'll see this so you don't have to.

[@sanyogsridhar1799]

:(

[@eilenekellogg7017]

They should provide you with therapy!

[@maxipaw-dc5xj]

Farmers lumberjacks and fishermen have the highest suicide rates

[@wiggerjones7537]

C0MPT0N ENGINE'S 41-42-43-44 & SQUAD 441-442-443 & RESCUE'S 444-445 & TRUCK 411 & AIR LYTE UNIT 428 & BATTALI0N 404 WE R Y0UR C0MPT0N FIRE DEPARTMENT 🚒🚑🚒🚑🚒🚑

[@dontrll947]

Oh boohoo it so hard to put out a fire

[@flipphone582]

I don't care how hard your job is, suicide is the ultimate expression of selfishness. It's repulsive and pathetic. (I have lived with depression for 40 years, and felt suicidal for about half of it. I understand.)

[@majorssimworld2364]

I'm not sure if you are being serious of facitious. People do it for different reasons. I have been in emergency services for 25 years. I have seen far too much. Done stuff no one should do. I have suffered depression/ptsd for a while and have tried to die. I tried to die because I was convinced that my family, friends, colleagues would be so much better of without me. That I was just holding people back. Bringing them down. I wanted to end my life to make theirs better. How is that selfish?

[@majorssimworld2364]

@A Speck Of Spock hi mate, yup, I am. I've been on a few but some I found wore off after a while so I've changed 4 times but am currently on setraline.

[@marianstevens5567]

Major's Sim World I used to think the same but after a failed suicide attempt a psychiatrist told me that 50 percent of children from parents who suicide end up committing suicide so that takes away the idea “that they will be better off”. It has put an end to all thoughts that suicide is the answer!! Look after yourself and always ask for help!

[@luisebehr7631]

Major`s Sim World , Please search longer for help . Dont give up ! We live only once ALL and you derserve for your Job help quickly . Please fight , search for help !

[@BlackGirlUnsolved]

Sometimes it’s hard for certain individuals. What if therapy doesn’t help, you have no family or friends, and medication just makes you sleepy and more depressed. Unfortunately, mental health is a big issue and I’m also suffering from it and tbh no one really cares.

[@sonial8940]

unless you are in a large city fd like new york cleveland boston etc there is no reason for this they are unstable when they are first hired they just slip through the cracks they know what they are in for when first hired

[@zanestovall8628]

That's not true at all. Rural departments get to deal with farm equipment, plenty of accidents, hunters, older folks (lots of older folks like to live in more rural areas) and oh by the way they usually have to go to great lengths to even get patients to the hospital. (Helicopters, longer response times, lower budgets, longer transport times etc) and oh by the way Colorado springs is pretty big. You're an ignorant fool and obviously never step foot on a big red truck. Get on with yourself.

[@charlesgreathouse7376]

@@zanestovall8628 some people have no idea what it is like.

[@rodpatty1]

Probably the most ignorant comment on here smh. The size of the Department does not matter. Repeated trauma is and not getting the adequate help is the problem. Sure firefighters know what they’re signing up for but you still wouldn’t understand. Until you’ve walked through the trenches just hush especially when you have no idea what you’re talking about. You should be glad it’s men and women “signing up” as you say. One might have to help you one day!

[@artisticdriver4218]

It takes a lot more strength to ask for help🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹don’t let they demons take you down. You are not alone💕💕💕