EVENT DETAILS
First Responders see things that no one should have to see. It is the nature of the profession. These encounters, coupled with chronic workplace stress, are taking their toll on those who work in Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement, and Emergency Dispatch. Though the community may see emergency responders as Heroes and Superheroes, they are as human and susceptible to human conditions as anyone else.
In an article published June 25, 2019, authored by Ann Marie Farina, executive director of The Code Green Campaign, “In the United States, more first responders die by suicide than in the line of duty each year. In a 10-day period this month, three NYPD officers, a Philadelphia sheriff’s LGBTQ liaison, and four other first responders in Michigan, Minnesota, California, and Nevada have died by suicide. As of June 19, there have been 97 law enforcement suicides verified by Blue HELP for 2019.”
In a recent update from Jeff Dill, Founder and CEO of The Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance, there have been 97 both active & retiree Firefighter and 26 EMS suicides that were verified by their organization that occurred during the year 2020.
With the recent spotlight bringing the rate of First Responder suicides to the forefront, the Dane County EMS Honor Guard is joining the fight by working to bring awareness, support, and education to those on the front line.
PLEASE JOIN US TO:
• Develop an understanding of the behavioral and mental health of the First Responder
• Learn to create procedures to develop a departmental behavioral health program
• Gain an understanding of the emotional aspects of retirement from Emergency Services
• Gain insight and understanding of the mental health concerns that affect departments
when dealing with the death of an active or retired member
