Emotional Trauma and Minnesota’s Fire Service

By Dr. Margaret Gavian, Medical Director, MnFIRE

Stress, and particularly traumatic stress, is an occupational hazard of being a firefighter.

All first responders have a particularly high exposure rate to traumatic stress inducing incidents. Doing chest compressions on an unconscious child, working to free a mother trapped in her vehicle after a collision, being with someone as they die, or recovering a body from a variety of unpleasant situations, are the daily realities of this job.

Industry leaders agree that being a firefighter today is vastly different than it was in years past; firefighters are being asked to do more with less, and with the net effect being more exposure to traumatic incidents, more stress, and more fatigue. Call volume has increased beyond fighting fire, with more medical and mental health calls, and increased exposure to motor vehicle accidents, violent crime, and medical complexity.

Providing round the clock service, firefighters often witness trauma in a disrupted sleep state, already fatigued. This is true for both career and non-career firefighters. Non career firefighters are often busy serving their community at night, only to have to work their “regular” job during the day while continuing to fulfill their roles as parent, friend and spouse. More than 90 percent of Minnesota’s fire service is non-career.

Support and services available to Minnesota’s 22,000 firefighters is scarce, leaving the burden of care on the individual and resulting in an overall department loss. Additional systemwide solutions are vital to keeping firefighters on the job and able to fulfill their deep commitment to service. They’re also essential to reducing turnover and healthcare costs when stress related disorders become chronic and to alleviating the havoc mental health disorders can wreak on families, children, and generations to come. If we expect firefighters to show up for us on our worst days, it is our responsibility to care and assist them on theirs.

Funding for additional training and development of behavioral health programming is critical. Focus on prevention, education, access to quality services and ongoing support is crucial. Existing mental health awareness training and peer support is a positive start, but so much more is required to provide our firefighters with the internal gear they need to protect themselves from the emotional risks of doing what we ask of them.

Another suicide, broken family or hero suffering in silence is simply unacceptable. We can and must do something before burying another public servant.

Note: This blog post is excerpted from “Beyond the Fire: The Mental & Emotional Cost of Being A Firefighter,” from MnFIRE’s Taking the Lead report. The full article can be found here.

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MnFIRE stands with our fellow first responders who responded to and are supporting the heartbreaking tragedy at Annunciation Catholic Church and its surrounding community. Every day, these individuals report to duty with courage and compassion. Regardless of the discipline, these professionals answer the call. And while we are trained for these types of incidents, you are never really prepared for the tragedy.

For firefighters needing help, MnFIRE is here for you. We have therapists who understand the fire service, and peer supporters who know all too well the stresses of the job.
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Miles for MnFIRE is just around the corner! Two firefighters, Kyle Bode and Doug Foote, will travel on foot from Duluth to St. Paul from September 13-21, walking about 20 miles per day to show support for MnFIRE’s mission.

By sponsoring or donating to Miles for MnFIRE, you're not only supporting the 150-mile trek, but also helping raise awareness and funds for firefighter health across the state. Check out how you can get involved here: mnfireinitiative.com/miles-for-mnfire/
... See MoreSee Less

Miles for MnFIRE is just around the corner! Two firefighters, Kyle Bode and Doug Foote, will travel on foot from Duluth to St. Paul from September 13-21, walking about 20 miles per day to show support for MnFIRE’s mission.

By sponsoring or donating to Miles for MnFIRE, youre not only supporting the 150-mile trek, but also helping raise awareness and funds for firefighter health across the state. Check out how you can get involved here: https://mnfireinitiative.com/miles-for-mnfire/

Miles for MnFIRE 2025 is just under one month away! During the multi-day, 150-mile walk, two firefighters will be joined by other firefighters, their families and community members to show support for MnFIRE’s important mission.

Want to be a part of the journey? Become a sponsor or donor! See how you can support firefighter health and wellness here: mnfireinitiative.com/miles-for-mnfire/
... See MoreSee Less

Miles for MnFIRE 2025 is just under one month away! During the multi-day, 150-mile walk, two firefighters will be joined by other firefighters, their families and community members to show support for MnFIRE’s important mission.

Want to be a part of the journey? Become a sponsor or donor! See how you can support firefighter health and wellness here: https://mnfireinitiative.com/miles-for-mnfire/
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