FBHA HISTORY 6/23/2015. Suicide, The Unknown Emergency. Understanding the Culture. Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance (FBHA) Presented by

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1 Suicide, The Unknown Emergency Presented by Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance (FBHA) Jeff Dill Founder Copyright - FBHA 2011 All Rights Reserved Understanding the Culture Judith Beck- Daughter of Dr. Aaron Beck was interviewed in the July 2011 issue of Counseling Today. When counselors are unfamiliar with a particular culture, it s important that they find out whether maladaptive ideas are idiosyncratic to the individual or whether they actually represent a belief of the culture FBHA HISTORY Hurricane Katrina Counseling Services for Fire Fighters FBHA (C) 3 Objectives 1) Educate FF s & EMT s 2) Scholarship Program 3) Retreat for Survivors (Families) 1

2 Photo from aftermath of Hurricane Katrina Photo from aftermath of Hurricane Katrina Photo from aftermath of Hurricane Katrina 2

3 Photo from aftermath of Hurricane Katrina What does the term Firefighter mean to you? What does it mean to be a Firefighter? Cultural Brainwashing Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance Fire Behavior Fire Attack Color of Smoke Tools Search & Rescue Ladders 3

4 Triangle of Hope Point I Clinicians/Chaplains: Educate professionals on the unique lifestyle and emotions of firefighters and their families. Point II Fire Officers: Train Officers to recognize the warning signs of a firefighter in behavioral distress and how to direct them to the appropriate resources. Point III Peer Group: Designated non-officers who are educated to watch for signs of turmoil and offer an inhouse support system for fellow firefighters. Including options for behavioral health resources. Target Firefighter & Family Employee Assistance Programs/Chaplains 4

5 FBHA 5 Top Signs Depression/Suicide Signs Thinks RAILS Recklessness/Impulsive: Change in Actions Anger: Displacement Isolation: Becoming distant Loss of Confidence: Skills/Abilities Sleep Deprivation: Beyond the Station Lost their Sense of Humor Ranks-Roles Chief 5 Bugles Deputy Chief 4 Bugles Assistant Chief 3 Bugles Battalion Chief 2 Bugles (crossed) Captain 2 Bugles (Vertical) Lieutenant 1 Bugle Firefighters Six Bugles (My Wife) Station Life Career - Shifts 24/48, 24/72, 16/8, 48/96, 14/10 Volunteer - Pager system, can stay at the firehouse Paid On Call - Pager system, respond from home or their main job. Paid for going on calls. 5

6 Cooking - Certain members are chefs. Every shift day firefighters pitch in $10 to $12. Which ever rig chef is assigned to he then goes shopping with his crew. Meals eaten at the firehouse are lunch and dinner, although breakfast is made in some departments as well as brunch on Sundays. Sometimes there is stress just from SHOPPING!! SLEEP Number one question asked of Firefighters? Do you sleep at the firehouse? Training Throw ladders/ search & rescue Medical Continuing Education Physical fitness/ attack procedures/extrication Water supply/saving Our Own/ live burns Special Teams/hazardous materials, high angle/trench rescue (TRT-technical rescue teams), dive, fire investigation, etc. 6

7 Emergency calls Stress of just responding hours one minute to get out the door hours 90 seconds to get out the door Task: 0245 set alarm clock Fire Department-2nd Family Eat together Sleep together Train together Workout together Hang out together after work or social functions with entire family. Be willing to lay down your life for each other! (Discussion) Two families to be responsible to and for Wife/Husband/Partner Work Schedule Emotional Issues Communications problems Children/Missed functions Financial/20 year pension 7

8 Firefighters-Mental Health Issues Stress-Due to emergency calls, education, covering your partner, risking your life, responsibility to family. (Armstrong Video) PTSD-horrific accident scenes, suicides, abuse calls, fire calls, burn victims, family issues Family-communications, divorce, substance abuse, addictions and suicide Yarnell 19 Prescott, AZ 8

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10 Actual footage from a fire scene. Courtesy of WANE-TV 8/15/11 10

11 Apparatus Engine/Pumper 11

12 Apparatus-Trucks Truck/Tower Truck/Platform Apparatus-Squads Squad 12

13 Tenders/Tankers Tender/Tanker Ambulance Ambulance/Rescue/Box FBHA Stats Data Collection Validation No Discrimination Never Forget my Brothers & Sisters - FL Known Reasons 13

14 Suicides by Years Unknown Courtesy of FBHA AGES Unknown Suicide Method Firearms Hanging CO Posion Stabbing Overdose Immolation Unknown Auto Train Jumped Suicide by Cop Drowning Slit Wrists Asphyxia Poision

15 Suicide: Active vs. Retired Retired Active Unknown Fired Disability Resigned Points to Remember FF s find it difficult to ask for help-sign of weakness Don t show emotions-facial expressions Continue to understand the culture Spouse & children will feel effects of neglect PTSD, addictions, family problems, and suicides are drastically increasing. Remember-We are human beings first! Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance Thank You for attending today! Contact Information: Jeff Dill FBHA jdill@ffbha.org Cell: