From saving drivers from burning wreckage, rushing into dangerous situations to stop a crime, or providing life saving measures in the back of an ambulance rushing to the hospital, first responders frequently put their lives on the line, constantly running towards situations others run away from. Keeping good mental health is important for those in the field. Unfortunately, the pressure and stress of the job weigh heavy on many.
"They are under the impression that to demonstrate pain is a weakness, and that's a false narrative. Pain is normal, pain is what everybody goes through, but the culture asks first responders to act like it doesn't hurt, or it's not difficult, of course it is," said Marriage and Family Therapist Dr. Steve Nicholas.
"For law enforcement, EMS and fire, suicides outpaced line of duty deaths," said president of the Northern Nevada Peer Support Network, Derek Reid.
One of those lives cut short was firefighter Tyler Ewald, who died in June of 2019. Tyler's father John, who was a firefighter with Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue (formally Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District), knows the stressors all too well.
"We never thought we would be in this position right now, and I pray that nobody else has to go through this. It's tough, we live it every day. He lived life, he was a caregiver, he truly loved people, and that was Ty."
On Monday, Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue put up a plaque in the doorway out to the engines so each and every first responder and keep Tyler in their hearts and minds on each and every call.
Tyler's death helped to inspire the unification of first responders throughout the region, and helped build awareness of the importance of mental health needs for our first responders. The new Northern Nevada Peer Support Network aims to provide resources to all first responders, including corrections, dispatch, EMS, nurses, firefighters, police and military -- all coming from those who have been in those same situations.
“We are asking those first responders to go and protect us, let's find the right people to allow them to protect themselves, and also we can protect them, we can help," said Dr. Nicholas.
As Tyler's family says, sometimes that protection can start with opening up a discussion. "Discussion is key. You have to talk and get this stuff off your chest and out of your mind."
For more information about Northern Nevada Peer Support Network or if you would like to donate, you can head to NNPSN.com or email nnpsn775@gmail.com.
