RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – First Responders work every day to keep us safe, which can put them in horrific situations that can lead to PTSD.
The South Dakota Firefighters Association just released a report that’s being shared across the country encouraging commanders to ask better questions from those who serve our communities to get a clearer picture of what they’re going through.
The report says that too often leaders assume that silence or getting short responses such as “I’m fine” means everyone at the firehouse is doing alright, but that assumption may not always be correct.
Knowing these challenges that firefighters face, Fire Station 1 in Rapid City has resources that can help in times of need.
Rapid City Fire Department Captain Chaz Fondren said, “That’s a collection of people in the department that have been through similar things, and are just here to help serve our other fire men at all rank levels, so we can help make the organization stronger, so they can be better fathers, mothers, community members, and over all just deliver better care.”
Going to each other to talk can help de-escalate a potential crisis as first responders go about their day, but what happens if talking to co-workers or friends isn’t enough for that specific person?
There are other steps to take beyond just talking to someone.
Captain Fondren said, “If we have to go a step further, we can also take that to councilors, and health care professionals out in the community that are willing to do that, but there’s also organizations where we can send people to, if they need to do a more extensive rehab process as well.”
If you know someone in the first responder field who is having a hard time, remind them that they’re not alone and there are resources out there to help them.
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