FIREFIGHTER SURVIVAL SKILLS ANNE NESBIT KEY PENINSULA FIRE DEPARTMENT

Transcription

1 FIREFIGHTER SURVIVAL SKILLS ANNE NESBIT KEY PENINSULA FIRE DEPARTMENT

2 Anyone you know?

3 Fire Service Stressful occupation Expect to see others in trouble Routinely manage crises

4 EMS Stress The social support structure of the fire service is protective. Firefighters and EMTs are quite resilient. Social support of EMTs and firefighters comes first from family and then from friends and coworkers.

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6 Am I different?

7 One Word: Adrenaline 90% of population lack traits needed to perform well as an emergency responder Emergency responders are Adrenaline Junkies Average citizens are not

8 The Adrenaline Junkie Control oriented

9 The Adrenaline Junkie Attentive to detail

10 The Adrenaline Junkie Traditional

11 The Adrenaline Junkie Strong role identity

12 The Adrenaline Junkie Action oriented

13 The Adrenaline Junkie Risk takers

14 The Adrenaline Junkie Highly dedicated

15 The Adrenaline Junkie Family oriented

16 The Adrenaline Junkie High expectations

17 The Adrenaline Junkie Strongly rescue oriented

18 Adrenaline Junkie Issues Control oriented Attentive to detail Traditional Strong role identity Action oriented Risk takers Highly dedicated Family oriented High expectations Strongly rescue oriented

19 Adrenaline Junkie Issues Control oriented Attentive to detail Traditional Strong role identity Action oriented Risk takers Highly dedicated Family oriented High expectations Strongly rescue oriented

20 Emergency Services Stressful?

21 John Wayne Syndrome You ain t hurt unless there s a bone stickin out

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23 How are we handling it? Or are we?

24 August 21, 2012 Call from Duty Chief 7:30 am response to suicide by hanging Patient is a fellow medic, 31 yo joined department 5 months ago, well liked, full time employee

25 Facebook Page Post

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28 2 Firefighter Heroin OD Stories in 24 HoursJanuary 2017 y (Friday)KDKA-TV reported that a Pittsburgh firefighter had to be revived by Narcan because of a heroin overdose while he was working overtime on rs Eve: tell KDKA that the firefighter, who was working overtime, passed out in what s called the sitting room. Sources confirm his line mates tried to wake and couldn t. confirm fellow firefighters, aware of his heroin addiction, used Narcan to revive him. He was hospitalized. Now he s suspended for 10 days and in in the KDKA -TV story claiming that fellow firefighters were aware of the firefighter s heroin addiction is one that opens up a lot of questions. also likely have many more questions after reading thestory published today by Sean Robinson of The News Tribune in Tacoma, Washington. It s abou Fire Department firefighter who died of a heroin overdosea day after he resigned from the department: Mueller dreamed of saving others, but he couldn t save himself. go, he took the first steps toward his lifelong dream of becoming a Tacoma firefighter. Seven months later, he died in his Tacoma home of a heroin e at the age of 27, a day after resigning from the department, two days after coming late to a morning shift, slurring his words and nearly hitting vehicle while briefly taking the wheel of a firetruck.

29 Suicide Motivation oss/change in important relationship void or end perceived pain scape intolerable situation ain attention unish others/self ecome a martyr epression

30 Life Events as Triggers Suicide/Death of loved one Serious family illness Loss of health Loss of employment Retirement Financial problems Legal problems

31 Suicide Warning Signs Lack of support system Rejected by peers Separation from family or friends Loner or newcomer Feels like no one cares

32 Indirect Suicide Indicators Buying a weapon Giving away possessions Making a will Talking about a long trip Taking unusual risks Sudden religious interest/disinterest Substance abuse relapse

33 Indirect Verbal Clues I can t go on any longer I m tired of life Life has lost its meaning I can t take the pain You d be better of without me You re going to regret how you treated me

34 Direct Verbal Cues I might as well be dead I wish I were dead If doesn t happen, I m going to end it I m going to kill myself

35 Direct Clues

36 Principles of Suicide Prevention Encourage help-seeking behavior High risk population = more intensive effort (like bringing a brother in) Age-specific

37 Impact of Major Stressors Have you ever had any education on this?

38 What is CISM? The hypothesis behind CISM is that the cognitive structure of the event, such as thoughts, feelings, memories, and behaviors, is modified through retelling the event and experiencing emotional release, and this serves to reduce distress and prevents the emergence of PTSD and other emotional stressors

39 What is a Critical Incident? Critical Incident: a stressful event that holds the potential to overwhelm one s usual coping mechanisms, potentially resulting in psychological distress and possible impairment of normal adaptive functioning.

40 Pathological Stress Acute Stress Disorder (ASD): Symptoms experienced during or immediately after the trauma, last for at least 2 days, and resolve within 4 weeks. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Symptoms begin within 1 3 months after the event, may last months to years. Lifetime incidence: 7.8% Population prevalence 0.8 4% Lower incidence in emergency responders Javidi H, Yadollahie M. Post-traumatic stress disorder. Int J Occup Envir Med. 2012;3:2-9.

41 Immune to Stress? NOT Firefighters are human They are highly effective on the job They also have families, bills to pay, cars to keep running, homes to maintain and lives to live outside of the firehouse

42 Compare FF to John Q Public: Substance use/abuse Alcohol, drugs, tobacco Sleep disorders Depression PTSD Suicide Anger management, violent behavior Marital, family, relationship problems

43 Organizational Suicide Prevention Responsibilities.. Supported/endorsed by senior staff and union Pamphlets, handouts, face-to-face briefings Everyone has a responsibility Focus on identifying red flags Have accessible help

44 Suicide Among Firefighters/EMTs No comprehensive data available Some believe rate is high FF/EMS represent the highest risk population: 72% suicides: white males 90% suicides: white males + females Age most common for suicides FF 96% male, 85% white, young Medics 69% male, 93% white, young

45 Behavioral Health AKA Mental Health Stigmatized by firefighters, medics, cops As important as physical health & safety Left untreated, leads to illness & death Covers a wide range of issues: Stress, anxiety, sleep problems, anger management, depression, PTSD, substance abuse & addiction, marriage & family issues

46 Employee Assistance Program EAP NFF: Behavioral Health Assistance Program (BHAP) Regardless of what you call it, they must be familiar with and prepared to treat firefighters!

47 Talking to People who Know

48 Safe Call Now

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