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Alabama First Responder Peer Support

Free, confidential support for Fire Service & Emergency Medical Personnel

The PAIN of first responder survival is not just fighting...

It includes surviving physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Our profession’s old, self-help methods of divorce, drinking, and denying hurt us even more. If it’s early in your career, you know this pain well. If you’re a veteran, you have hidden this pain deep inside. In either case, it’s killing you.

PTSD

37% of firefighters have suffered from PTSD

SUICIDE

A firefighter commits suicide ~every other day

STRESS

Firefighters are 3x more likely to die on the job

Silent signs of First Responder Stress:

  • Fatigue
  • Sleep disorder
  • Irritability
  • Alcohol/prescription drug abuse
  • Physical ailments
  • Late for work regularly
  • Feeling pessimistic, hopeless, or depressed
  • Physical/emotional pain
  • Suicidal thoughts (call immediately)
  • Inaction on the job, anger, secretly crying, bitterness

What else should I Know?

  • Because you are doing an extremely difficult job that no one outside of first responders understand, you are likely having normal reactions to stress. There are some simple things you can do to help and heal yourself.

  • Eat healthier & drink more water
  • Drink less caffeine/alcohol
  • Get an annual physical exam
  • Exercise daily
  • Get some rest
  • Talk with someone you trust
We offer free, confidential peer support. Because we are first responders ourselves, Alabama First Responders Peer Support members are motivated by compassion and are here to help you confront the realities of a career as a first responder.
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