Approximately 20 percent of firefighters and paramedics suffer from PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder. If left untreated, that could lead to depression, substance abuse and even suicide.Â
Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District (TMFPD) is taking on a peer support program to address this. The program is part of an international effort, and ten agencies across northern Nevada are participating.Â
TMFPD Captain Derek Reid says, "Suicide in the fire service is unacceptably high. Since 2012, that number has surpassed line of duty deaths."Â
Firefighters face trauma every single day at work. That can mean responding to a significant tragedy or even a more common house call. TMFPD Captain Mark Thyer says, "For example, I have kids. When I go on a kid EMS call, I always think of my own family. So, there's always that in the back of my head."
Fire officials say, in the past, it was common to keep problems to themselves. They add that one study showed more than 90% of firefighters said the stigma around mental health stopped them from getting treatment.Â
That's why it's often easier for first-responders to vent to others who can relate. Local firefighters learned how to express themselves, but also how to listen to others at this week's training sessions. Captain Thyer says, "No one wants to be told how to fix their problems, they wanted to be guided down the road to find their own solutions."Â
The program involves different regional fire departments networking with each other to offer mental support.Â
