Menu

WFC News

First Responders, PTSD and COVID-19

by Sam DiGiovanna

On a “normal” day, firefighters, law enforcement officers and correctional personnel are exposed to more potentially traumatic events than the average person. In the past decade or so, public safety agencies have begun to confront this reality, acknowledging that many first responders will experience post-traumatic stress during their careers. For some, this stress will become even more problematic, developing into post-traumatic stress disorder if left untreated.

Because many of the factors that cause critical stress for first responders are out of our control, we mostly focus on mitigation of stress after the fact: teaching personnel to recognize the signs and symptoms of post-traumatic stress and providing access to resources and counseling to help personnel cope after tragic calls or life-threatening events. More recently, some public safety agencies have begun to focus on helping personnel develop resiliency, but for the most part our strategies are largely reactive.

Now, into the midst of this comes COVID-19. At first, you might not think a virus could have the same impact as a fire in which several small children die or an incident in which an assailant shoots at you in a dark alley. But studies following the 2003 SARS outbreak showed that hospital employees and those in self-quarantine experienced post-traumatic stress. Some experts are bracing for similar impact from COVID-19.

In part, this is because PTSD doesn’t require a person to experience an injury, incident or physical attack directly. Following the Vietnam war, September 11, the Boston bombing, the Columbine school shooting, the Las Vegas shooting and other similar events, some people experienced post-traumatic stress even though they were not present at the events or directly endangered by them.

COVID-19 is no different. Because it is an invisible threat, we must remain on heightened alert, without knowing whether we’re safe or being exposed. For some of us, this constant state of alert will have a profound mental impact.

Others, of course, will shrug it off—which underscores the second major factor to remember about post-traumatic stress: There is no “one size fits all.” A motor vehicle accident involving multiple fatalities may hit one firefighter hard while another gives the incident no additional thought. One correctional officer may appear oblivious to the constant harassment from inmates while another breaks down.

It’s not just fear of catching the virus that can lead to COVID-19-related critical stress. First responders must also cope with:

  • Isolation. Some on the front lines have chosen to completely isolate themselves from family and friends due to the heightened risk they have for transmitting the virus. Those who don’t take such drastic measures still must confront the fear family members have of them. Even our places of work can become stressful as the bonds of brotherhood must now conform to social distancing guidelines.
  • Inability to help like we used to. We went into public safety because we like to help people in need. COVID-19 threatens that. Even as we respond to medical calls, traffic accidents and domestic violence incidents, we must be careful to limit exposure, keep our distance and preserve PPE. Where we previously relied on a kind word and a gentle touch to connect and calm, now we may find ourselves standing to the side, 6 feet away, feeling ineffective and emotionally distant. 
  • Employment uncertainty. With so many businesses shuttered, sales tax is impacted. When sales tax plummets, it impacts the revenue for municipal services. Public safety leaders are sounding the call that many officers and firefighters will need to be laid off if our elected leaders don’t take steps to protect jobs.
  • Loss of retirement savings. As the market plummets, so do our retirement savings. And with the total economic impact far from clear, it’s possible pensions could even be at risk. If you’ve worked hard for many years and envisioned a certain type of retirement, having those goals jeopardized can cause considerable anxiety.

How do you increase your chances of getting through the pandemic without developing post-traumatic stress disorder? By far the best thing is to monitor yourself and ask for help early. Maintain activities that help you manage stress, such as exercise, quiet time and exposure to the outdoors. If you notice these activities aren’t providing the usual relief, or if you feel you can’t escape the anxious thoughts, it’s time to reach for support.

Remember, post-traumatic stress is an injury, not a life sentence. Like any wound—physical or emotional—you can recover from the injuries. Together, we will get through this!

 

 

Sam DiGiovanna is a 35 year Fire Service veteran. He started with Los Angeles County Fire Dept. served as Fire Chief for the City of Monrovia and now is the Fire Chief at the Verdugo Fire Academy in Glendale Ca.  He is also VP of Fire Operations at Cordico www.Cordico.com

Print
Posted: Jul 30, 2020,
Categories: News,
Comments: 0,
Tags:
Rate this article:
No rating
Please login or register to post comments.

Theme picker

Search News Articles