First Responders Research Paper

Emergency telecommunications otherwise known as 911 dispatching is a fast paced and exciting work environment. During a twelve hour shift, the dispatchers never know what is going to occur, nor do they know when it is going to occur. Hours of boredom can be followed by minutes of sheer panic and terror. They deal with everything from domestic violence to medical calls, traffic stops to house fires. A 911 dispatcher doubles as a communications liaison for police officers, deputies, medical personnel, and fire fighters. Emergency telecommunications often known as dispatching can be broken down into four major categories: law enforcement, fire, emergency medical, and call taking/administrative.

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, “PTSD can make people feel very nervous or ‘on edge’ all the time. Many feel startled very easily, have a hard time concentrating, or have problems sleeping well” (Association, 2016). These conditions make it hard for first responders to continue working resulting in “overwhelming exhaustion, feelings of cynicism and detachment to the job, and a sense of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment” (Cigognani, 2009,

First responders have significant roles. Their roles vary from the saving of lives to the protection of property. Some of those who would be considered first responders would be EMTs, law enforcement, firefighters, FEMA, and some units in the National Guard. While the first four are obvious in what some of their roles are, the National Guard is a multi-disciplinary first responder. One great example is the Army National Guard Civil Support Team.

military’s vast experience in responding to and managing casualties from IED and/or active shooter incidents and from its significant investment in combat casualty care research into the civilian first responder environment” (DHS, First Responder Guide. 2015). In order to improve safety in response to terror events, especially those classified as international terrorism it will require that first responders to further prepare for a vast variety of potential threats. The focus of this increased preparation should not only regard the safe and effective responses of first responders to all potential hazards caused by a terrorist event; but should also include the improvement of first responder’s connections to their communities, the gathering of intelligence, information sharing, and realizing their role in domestic defense of the United States of America.

One of the most common personal problems faced by first responders is PTSD. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a prolonged stress response caused by serious and sometimes dangerous emotional events that interfere with daily functioning. Those who suffer from TPSD tend to avoid socializing, have flashbacks of the event, and are emotionally tense (“The Link Between PTSD…”, 2017). Considering the definition and what first responders do, it is understandable that they develop this problem. It is also not confounding to know that they face a 95% increase in their risk of developing it when a fellow employee dies, by being the victim of some form of abuse, or after dealing with psychiatric patients (Khashaba et al., 2014). It is rather common that first responders will become the victim of some type of abuse, either due to premeditated aggression from people who are biased against uniformed workers or by patients who have conditions that make them involuntarily hostile, such as postictal patients who are recovering from a seizure. While both are very stressful events, a study

The experience leading to posttraumatic stress doesn’t have to last hours on end. In fact, the entire confrontation could last but a short thirty seconds. For many first responders in life-threatening situations, these few seconds can adversely affect the rest of their life (Willis, 2014). From that day or night on, the one affected will be plagued by sleepless nights, nightmares during the minimal hours of rest, and periodic anxiety attacks (Willis, 2014). In just thirty seconds, a well-trained first responder can go from being emotionally stable with a happy heart and life to having an unstable family, marriage, and have an inability to effectively perform many of his or her job duties. In just thirty seconds, one can develop a case of (undiagnosed) posttraumatic stress disorder (Willis, 2014).

(2007). First Responders: Mental Health Consequences of Natural and Human-Made Disasters for Public Health and Public Safety Workers. Annual Review of Public Health, 28, 55-68. Retrieved from http://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.publhealth.28.021406.144037/ Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Expert first response personnel make all the difference when it comes to saving lives and property; they realize failure is not an option in today’s highly volatile unforgiving world of disaster. Firefighters, police, military, medical as well as any other national/ international first responder are prime examples of people who give tirelessly all that they have, who work twenty-four hours a day, and who often find themselves hip-deep in blood and guts in order to mitigate the situation. These first response veterans aspire to save that one more life; they strive often even at the emotional expense of poorly kept energy reserves to pull people and property from the disaster, but at what cost? Is first response employees

PTSD’ is a mental illness, found most commonly effecting the mental state of individuals that have been exposed to confronting and/or traumatic events. Paramedics are people who in their everyday lives deal with low and high key events that can take a huge toll on their mental state ability. They are constantly sighting poor health and health conditions, trauma to another human, and the tragedy of death. (1)Despite being identified as a “high risk” occupational group, there is a lack of data concerning the prevalence of emotional problems among emergency ambulance personnel. The lack of data to support the PTSD levels of Paramedics is concerning especially when their work requires high level of concentration to perform precise procedures that

Most firefighters are known to not be open with sharing how they feel because it can possibly ruin their reputation as a firefighter and in the firehouse. It was not until military personnel were presenting symptoms that are currently known to be associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. Meroney presents the article with a list of the most common signs that can be observed in the firefighter. Signs such as substance abuse, depression, suicidal thoughts, and loneliness, once these signs are present try to talk with the firefighter and see what is affecting them. They need professional help to cure this disorder. The fire service is known to be a large family that watches out for each other, the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation created the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives. In which, number 13- behavioral health, this initiative helps prevents firefighter’s deaths. Meroney basically goes over the basics of

Throughout the world, The United States is known to have one of the most aggressive, progressive and passionate emergency fire services who constantly serve their localities. The fire service has immensely developed in American culture, starting as early as the 1600’s in Colonial America and continuing to today in the 21st Century. Fire departments throughout the world have the similar goal of protecting and saving life and property, however the United States has taken this to the most extreme. This vital service to the community has always been and will always be a necessity to a city in order to guarantee the prosperity of the public.

Sean began a second career here at CDOT-EJMT and has become a valued member of our team. His previous career was 20+ years as a Firefighter/EMT in a municipal fire department.

Since these happen on a very rare basis, they usually do not feel as comfortable with responding to these type of incidents. Nonetheless these events are happening more often then not, and first responders must be knowledgeable, non complacent, a caught up to speed on the procedures for reacting to more severe circumstances. During any mainstream event that becomes fatal and tragic, the general public expect emergency personnel to be there simultaneously and start evaluating the situation. The preservation of life and reduction of injury are their top priority, however, they must be well trained in this area, and have coordinated sources and command control. (Walsh, 2012)

This question is important to me, and to many others, because knowing the warning signs could allow myself or others to recognize that a firefighter might be in danger of harming themselves. This could potentially help to save the firefighters life and possibly divert a tragedy. If we could learn to recognize the signs in others prior to a suicide attempt we could get the firefighter the help they need, helping to save the life of those that risk their lives daily to save our

Once outside the building, move away from the building and assemble in your meeting zone. Your meeting zone is an agreed upon location outside and away from the building and is usually determined by department or where you are located inside of the building. Double – check this.