Dealing With the Things We See

I haven't been to alot of really bad scenes, in fact it has been a few years since I have seen anything really bad. So I was wondering if anyone had any advice as to how to deal with what was scene today.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on April 6, 2010 at 4:21pm

It's all about understanding the concept of team work Roy... and as far as the individual who posted negative comments... I believe the phrase, "don't let the screen door slam you on your way out...". This is no loss. Folks that have a clue are using this site to learn, explore, and meet new friends. There is nothing wrong with that. It's all about what you make out of something. And as you have identified, there is a lot of good things going on, most of the time... Later brother, CBz

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Permalink Reply by Peter Dybing on April 10, 2010 at 10:58am

Joe,

This issue comes up for even seasoned firefighters. As a type 1 fire team member I have been to many disasters and seen unbelievable things. I always thought I processed these events well. Recently I worked as a Medical Unit leader in Haiti. What I saw was 10,000 MCI's in one place. Death all around. Frankly it through me for a loop after all these years. My experience told me I needed to seek out others with similar experience and process the events. I did and now all is well. Please don't be the tough Firefighter who thinks he can "take it" we all need a little support now and then.

Good luck and let me know if I can help in the future

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Permalink Reply by Raymond Herington on April 10, 2010 at 10:54pm

Joe, you are doing the right thing by talking about it. Check and see if your dept, or county has a debriefing team. But get it off your chest, The things that weigh heavy are not on you but in you. I'am on a rural volunteer dept. and I know at least 85% of the people around here. I have had to extricate 2 young men that I knew since they were born, both were fatal. It happens everywhere, we are not immune from tragedy. Remember what you signed up to do. Just remember of the brotherhood you belong to and they will help you through any obsticles you encounter. Think with a clear mind, think of the one guy that can help you most, God.

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Permalink Reply by harvey on April 18, 2010 at 5:46am

that's it you just got to let it go however you can

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Permalink Reply by Justin Buck on April 18, 2010 at 7:43am

I have been to 1 scene where it was my own brother that died, and 4 where they were my class mates that took there own life. I dont talk about about my feelings to anybody because my friends will think im just a baby talking about it. But i do write about what happen in journal and going to the funeral helped some. I just live with it each day.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Burks on April 18, 2010 at 10:02am

It doesn't matter how long you have been in the fire and ems service you will never forget accidents were someone has lost there life. I have seen my share off DOA's . When we have these scenes, after everything is done at the scene we ask everyone even wrecker drivers if they have a problem with the scene or with what they have witnessed. If one person says "Yes it bothered me" we call in the CISD team from Abilene and we discuss the scene. I don't take accident scenes personally because it can affect your safety and the safety of the other FF's on the scene. when it is said and done, I will say a prayer for the family before I leave the scene. If I have a problem with the scene, we will have a debriefing at the station.

stay safe and remember everyone goes home

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Permalink Reply by Dennis Hiscock on April 18, 2010 at 11:42am

I have to agree with Ralph on this and many other comments that are probably on other pages which i haven't seen yet. A lil while ago we had a call that was fatal , the cause was pretty much known when we got there. Many of the fire fighters on scene didn't know how to deal with it because for the most part it was not a "regular" thing to happen in a small town, many of them didn't sleep, some of them told me they still had dreams of the call some months after. We lost some members after that call, so we had to call in a team that the fire dept. and town had in place to help with the things that went on in the coming months, eventually we did get the members back that left after everyone talked about it.

as Ralph mentioned above the main thing is talk about it and what ever you do DON'T take chit home....the most important thing that can happen is that we talk about any little thing that bugs us about a call, even if it's "small" in your eyes, it's still important no matter what you may think.