Alabama First Responder Peer Support
Free, confidential support for Fire Service & Emergency Medical Personnel
Learn more about the benefits of Peer Support.
Reach out.
Call 1(844)525-3473 if you need to talk to someone immediately.
peersupport@alabamafirecollege.org
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 about every other day
STRESS
Firefighters are 3x more likely to die on the job
Though we are not counselors, we have suffered through the pains of being a first responder.
We have been through fires, horrendous wreck scenes, natural disasters, and seeing our brothers and sisters die. We have seen the mangled young and abused adults. We have survived divorce, cancer, accidents, the death of our children, and so much more.
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
- Alabama Act 2018-416 assures all communications with us are privileged.
Need to talk? Reach out to us.
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. Many of the hazards we face are the unseen effects and inherent stress- we understand the career and lifestyle affect us personally and professionally.
