Western Shore Firefighter Responds To Suicide Classes

Wow!!! You are some heartless individuals. Have you ever thought that maybe it’s a prevention tool. I work in a large metropolitan fire department on the western shore of Maryland and know of (were friends with) two individuals that have committed suicide immediately following their shift. Working in our field, the stress can be overwhelming. Do you ever think that what we see on our job is stressful? And we just can’t talk to anybody about what we saw or are feeling. We cannot go home to our significant other and talk about what we had to deal with on our shift. Yes some of us have a morbid sense of humor. That is the way we deal with the stress. You go anywhere in our industry, for that fact anywhere in the public service industry, and you will see the same humor. But not everyone can deal with this stress. They dedicate their lives to help others, but find it hard to get help for themselves.

You don’t want a minimal amount of taxpayer money used to bring suicide awareness into this department? Ever thought that there maybe a trend growing across the country in firefighter suicides, and the leadership of the SFD maybe taking a proactive approach to this to prevent this from happening here? It seems to me it will probably cost less in the long run to save one life from suicide. Not just counting the dollars it would cost to train a replacement for that individual.

I just cannot believe you people are that way. I grew up on the shore and can't believe that someone from my shore would think that way about people that help citizens. You people are obviously transplants and not from my shore. It just absolutely disgusts me. You people should be ashamed of yourselves. What do you expect the leadership to do? Stop training their people and just let the department flounder? Get a life. Let the leadership of the SFD do their business. Especially if it just might save the life of a person that does the job of saving lives.

Regards,
M. Adams
FFIII FADO

Mr. Adams:

Again, there are millions upon millions of Firefighters out there in the United States. That being said, the odds of a select few committing suicide is a given. I can happen anywhere, especially in the Policing business. Holding classes and gaining more attention on this issue, (IMHO) will only enhance the probability of more Firefighters getting more attention. I know this isn't a popular subject for me to respond to and or even bring up but the reality is, more bureaucracy in local government is all I'm seeing. Oh, besides, someone may want to have a sit down with Chief See because lately he's had some serious signs of issues.