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The objectives of this Division shall be to further enhance the education of all Fire Service Administrative Support by conducting workshops and seminars; to increase the proficiency of Fire Administrative Support by establishing a network sharing of information systems through various channels of communication; and to faciliate a statewide standardization wherever possible in all phases and aspects of the Fire Administrative Support field for the benefit of the Fire Service.

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First Responders, PTSD and COVID-19

Posted: Jul 30, 2020
Categories: News
Comments: 0

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

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Chair

Posted: Sep 19, 2020

Chair

Caity Karapostoles

Clallam County Fire District 3

caityk@ccfd3.org

360-683-4242


Term: 2019 - 2021

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Posted: Sep 21, 2019

Past Chair

Mykel Montgomery

Franklin County 3
Administrative Assistant

mmontgomery@fcfd3.org

509-547-9306 

 

Term; 2019 - 2020

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Posted: Sep 21, 2015

Secretary

VACANT

 

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Posted: Sep 21, 2015

Treasurer

Emily Lewis

Eastside Fire & Rescue

elewis@esf-r.org

Office (425) 313 – 3278

Work Cell (425) 439 – 4000


Term: 2019 - 2021

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Posted: Sep 21, 2015

Communications

Lisette Kelly

Mountain View Fire & Rescue
Administrative Assistant

253-735-0284 


Term: 2019 - 2021

 

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Posted: Sep 21, 2015

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Cathy Blakeway

City of Tumwater Fire Department
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cblakeway@ci.tumwater.wa.us

360-754-4170

 

Term: 2019 - 2021

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Posted: Sep 21, 2015

Regional Representative

Kristen Cole

Walla Walla County Fire District 5

kcole@wwcfd5.org 

509-547-8341


Term: 2018 - 2020

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Posted: Sep 21, 2015

Regional Representative

Julie Patterson

Vancouver Fire Department

 julie.patterson@cityofvancouver.us

360-487-7224


Term: 2019 - 2021

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Posted: Sep 21, 2015

Regional Representative

Kim Baldwin

Clark County Fire District 10

kim.baldwin@clark.wa.gov

360-247-5233


Term: 2019 - 2021


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Posted: Sep 21, 2015

Committee Member

Katie Rassmussen

Washington State Fire Training Academy

Division Public Information Officer & Event Coordinator 2

Katie.Rasmussen@wsp.wa.gov

425-453-3000 x 110 


 

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Committee Member

Posted: Sep 21, 2015

Committee Member

Lori Coleman

Clallam County Fire District 3

lcoleman@ccfd3.org

360-582-2054

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Regional Representative

Posted: Sep 21, 2015

Regional Representative

Slita Bradley

Benton County Fire District 4
District Secretary

SBradley@bcfd4.org

509-967-2945

 

Term; 2020 - 2021

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Committee Member

Posted: Sep 19, 2015

Committee Member

Melissa Knutson

Eastside Fire & Rescue

mknutson@esf-r.org

425-313-3232

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Posted: Sep 18, 2015

Committee Member

Tina Williamson

Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority

tmwilliamson@pugetsoundfire.org

253-856-4406


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Committee Member

Posted: Sep 17, 2015

Committee Member

Linda Reeff

Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority

lreeff@pugetsoundfire.org

253-856-4334 
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