The Social Network & Community JUST for Firefighters
Have Your ever been in a situation
Just though I get some of your guys and gals thoughs, on how you handle something they you felt that could have had a better outcome then it did. say for instance you either at a vehicle entrapment or house fire entrapment, and the person past, because you couldn't get to them in time, does it ever come to the back of your mind, that you say to yourself I did all I could to save the person whether they were young or old, does it ever bother you after a while.
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by PFC Harmon on
-
I think it comes back to most people, some more than others. That is why it is important to talk with other responders and not keep the feelings bottled inside. The bottom line though is that death is part of our "job" and you have to remind yourself that you did all that you could but the book was just turned to their page and it was time.
-
Permalink Reply by Tony P on
-
What he ^^^ said. It happens, it comes back to us. We have to talk these feelings out with others. It may be others that were on the same call, it may be (and should be in my view) our family. It may be as part of a formal or inflormal debrief session. Whatever it is, if the feelings seem to be getting to us, if they are getting us down, then some help is needed. We have CIS Peers, and access to further help if needed - I believe that at some time most of us need to talk things out with someone. I would have said everybody, but there have been people who flatly deny the need, so saying everybody would have been incorrect.
There has been recent talk about this subject, it had some good posts and would be worth looking for. But this is one topic that for me can be brought up whenever a person has a question. It is too important to forget, to attempt to gloss over.
PS. Yes, I've been in that position. I don't 'allow' the situation to weigh me down, I talk it out with anybody that will listen. This has included my fellow FF's, my family, my friends, and a CIS Peer.
-
Permalink Reply by Tim Wood on
-
We are all human. If it doesnt bother you in one way or another then you really have problems. Talk to the guys that have been there a true brother will be there for you. And our department also has a chaplain
-
-
Yeah Tony, we all know the firefighters that are to "tough" to talk to anyone and says that nothing bothers them. I personally feel that those firefighters are hurting themselves and the new firefighters that are going to follow their lead. Also like you I think that this topic is right next to the seat belt topic and can be posted as much as it needs to be.
-
Permalink Reply by Lee Huff on
-
Fortunately, my guys were all there for me after my first search for a fire fatality. I had been saying all along how I dreaded that first one, as I had seen a friend almost burn to death several years ago. The guys all kept asking how I was doing, and I overheard some remarks describing me as "one tough M.F.'er". This made me feel a whole lot better. They all reminded me that I'll face more death than most of the guys as I'm a First Responder and going to school to be a nurse.
-
Permalink Reply by Jeff Wright on
-
Carlo
There will come a time when we all of us who take this job will have to respond to the dreaded call. And yes it's sometimes come back to you. The way that I've handled it was that I responded, did my very best, and it wasn't ment to be. We here in Kentucky have a CSID team, it's made up of persons training to handle this type of incident, they are on call 24/7 and they will respond if called. I have a department Chaplin, I've sent her to training and keep her updated on training. Do Not keep these feeling to yourself, you'll just make it take much harder on yourself and everyone around. I can tell you that all the Makers Mark made in a month won't bring those whom died come back. Take care....
-
Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on
-
LT, you got it Bro. realizing that we are human and its normal for us to feel bad or feeling about what we do. Its also important to talk to others about it. We will get a group (post incident stress debriefing) together if we have these types of calls and give everyone an opportunity to talk about it. Its ok to feel those feelings Carlo. The key however is to let them out.
-
Permalink Reply by turk182 on
-
You will never forget any of the people you lose and there are times that they will pop back in your mind. Sometimes it can be a sound or smell or something you see that will stir the feelings up but the best thing we can do for each other is to talk about it and not try to hold it in.
I have seen my share of fatals and almost every time they were gone when we got on scene, but they will still get to you.
-
Permalink Reply by Carlo on
-
thanks for the responses, I was just curious how you guys handle it, and If at all you feel guilty of the outcome. And I am sure most people would say should"ve would"ve could've, Ive Not a firefighter yet but I am sure there will be things that I see that will be uneasy, but Id have to learn to get over and move on. I am sure that it would have pretty big mental impact on me thats for sure. probably almost as bad as a solider in Iraq who knows.
-
Permalink Reply by Jay Nicholson on
-
A good debriefing on EVERY call is an invaluable training tool. Not just on the calls that went south on you. Learn what went right, what went wrong, why the chief did it this way instead of that way. Get in the habit of training after the call.
To paraphrase M*A*S*H. Rule #1-people are going to die and rule #2- you can't change rule #1.
© 2024 Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.
Powered by
