Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Julie on May 2, 2008 at 9:50am

our dept. deals with nights like these by going back to the farm behind the fire house and starting a campfire to sit around and talking bout what happened and how greatful we are to still be here and we celebrate the life of the one lost. It always works. julie

Permalink Reply by Andrew Kersten on May 5, 2008 at 9:58pm

In my department we all sit around after the call and talk things over. A few of us have our numbers at the station for "support" calls 24/7. Otherwise we are lucky to have local clergy and counselors on hand.

Permalink Reply by Victor on May 9, 2008 at 10:18pm

The our department deals with thing of that matter is we have a D-breafing. One of the things about our department have and I think all departmens should invest in is a Chaplan. Example we just had about a month ago where a small kid was missing. First we started the search and rescue with just our department. Then it ended up with multiple department including Hwy patrol, Sherrif, the city usar team. Well needless to say we found the little boy in a near by pool muddy nasty pool in which he was in there about 3hrs. Well our department set up a date and welcomed all units that responded to join our debrefing. Of course our chaplan was there, but we all talked and let our emotions out. All said and done no one ever wonts to answer an call like that. Our chaplan responds to most of our death calls, and he reponds from his home.

Permalink Reply by Ken Wagner on May 12, 2008 at 9:17pm

My department does the CISD within 36 hours of the incident. I was recently a person who had to sit in on one of these, as I had a person who was new to the department and a person who had never experienced a vehicle accident with a deceased individual. I knew that I needed to get the ball rolling when I noticed the 2 members of the crew standing at the scene of the accident with blank expressions on their face. I got the ball rolling with the chief and I tell you, no one is put on the spot in a debriefing, everyone talks about the experience and we learn from it. Our departments Chaplain is the member that takes care of the debriefing. Hope I was some help to you. Good Luck and stay safe. Eng.K.Wagner

Permalink Reply by Michelle Robertson on May 13, 2008 at 2:28pm

We have a debreifer come in if needed. He's really good and is a Firefighter himself. If it's a really bad call and it seems like alot of the guys are maybe in need we call in everyone involved and just kinda talk it out. Mostly it seems better for alot if they do it one on one and only a few members, mostly Officers, know about it. I think, no offense meant guys, but the men have a hard time admitting they need help once in awhile, and def. don't want anyone to know. There's no shame in it. We have alot to deal with at times and you never know when it's going to hit you. I've only had to "debrief" a couple times in the past 22 years, but felt so much better after.

Permalink Reply by Butch on May 17, 2008 at 2:24pm

Our department handles these things very well we have a chaplin and CISD, we also have a debrief without CISD among the firefighters involved with the command staff. We just had a double fatality on I-65 on Kentucky Derby day so we just went through all this, so good luck and talk to somebody don't hold it in!

Permalink Reply by Mike on May 18, 2008 at 10:47pm

Our department has a chaplain who responds to difficult calls and handles the debriefings. We just had a fatal MVA on Friday night as well. If you have your own clergy, I'm sure they could be helpful as well, and of course don't forget the other people in your department, since many will not admit to being bothered by stuff until someone else starts the conversation. Best of Luck....

Permalink Reply by brian on May 24, 2008 at 7:32am

We just had a bad one a couple of weeks ago. It took us 7 min. to extricate everyone from a midsize car and semi-truck collision, it was a rough go but we got it done.
Our guys are all there for each other pretty quickly. A lot of next day phone calls etc. The officers monitor our reactions and get us help if needed. Sometimes a beer and a bottle of rye at a buddies house. It all comes down to the tension levels we get into. What really makes it work though is everyones honesty. When I get asked how I feel I know now to say it from the heart "the machismo stuff is gone".

Permalink Reply by Damon Dyer on September 9, 2008 at 12:42pm

We have a mental health center we can call .

Permalink Reply by anne potter on September 10, 2008 at 7:57am

We have a hash over session at the station.. have never been able to bring myself to going to one... I saw it once don't need to go thru it again.... It does not need to be relived i n my mind,,,After all these years I pretty much seen it all.. I would say Kids have tore me apart the most,and I have sat for days and cried over things,but does not change anything and the next call is waiting for me to do the best job I can. And that is to get the person out alive and to the hosptial.. I can not things linger too long or I will be no good for my job.. So I eat it up and spit it out...

Permalink Reply by travis howell on September 10, 2008 at 8:05pm

we get together and talk about what happen or sometime CISD come in and we sit down talk about it

Permalink Reply by Walt on September 27, 2008 at 6:54pm

Talk about it. Talk to the guys that have been on a long time. If you don't want to talk to others in your department call the EAP line if your department offers it. Don't keep it inside, talk to others. I also on an ambulance, the first couple are hard to deal with but you get used to it. Good luck.

Walt

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