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Resiliency in Emergency Services
I am wondering how does everyone keep themselves strong and resilient against all the stressors and traumas that you encounter in the course of doing your emergency service jobs?
How do you stay emotionally present and nurturing while keeping yourself sane?
What skills have you developed to make yourself more flexible internally?
I am also wondering what skills you utilize to help keep those around you strong and resilient?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
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In short....A good sense of humor
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Permalink Reply by Karr Quintero on
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humor is a key part, and a few tire kicks back at the station..lol
but for me it seems pretty easy to end it with the run report and not bring it home.
the next run is always on my mind...
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Permalink Reply by Damo on
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Thanks for putting this question out there. I am just starting my life as a vollie FF and will be taking my EMT-B starting in January and volunteering with the EMT service as well. So, I think this is a vital question on how to not get burnt out or somehow blaise to the situiations. I agree with the other replies that humour is very important, but be careful as to where that kind of humour is expressed.
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Permalink Reply by John L. VanAuken on
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Yes a humor dose seem to help, I have lost two friends right in front of me, down to many friends and family who have passed on. Some say I am cold hearted, but yes I do care and greeve. Some handle stressful and grusome calls, or the sudden loss of a loved one, or friend, possibly a family pet differently. Myself I just seem to block it out till Im done and back home, or at the station. Where some of us will just sit and talk about it or about something that makes us laugh. Sometimes I just go and be by myself so I can think, I like to tinker with things, and most of all like to draw and paint. As said just plain talking about a call with your fellow firefighters/medics, and even just good old laughter, dose help. I dont care how tough you are, we all have our moments, for me it hits worst when kids are involved.
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Permalink Reply by Anthony McNulty on
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My keys are a professional and calm demeanor. Especially as an EMT. Nothing feels better to me than when I show up on a scene and a patient that was panicking with some kind of issue like an AMI or arterial bleed and I see then start to calm down because I give off that relaxed professional vibe.
Whatever you do, stay calm and know what you are doing. The best thing to keep you on a straigh edge is to say to yourself "Hey, I'm here because I have a skill and I came to help these people."
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Permalink Reply by Station10Capt106 on
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humor is a key component with dealing with the stress of emergency work (just remember when it is appropriate to use that humor).
Communication to me is the key. Talk to your fellow workers after a bad call, if something is bothering you chances are it bothers someone else too. By talking with one another you can work out some of the aggrevation and stress. Also communication with your family is paramount. While I don't share all the gory details with my wife I need to be open with her and let her know when something is bothering me. That way I don't take anything out on the family. Your support network at home needs to be secure for your relationship to survive.
Another thing that greatly helps keep me grounded is my faith and church.
It is also very important to take time everyonce in a while to step away. Take a vacation. Get away for a day or two. Turn off the scanner and pager. Get totally away for anything remotely related to emergency service and just veg out or immerse yourself in a hobby. You can recharge yourself and be ready to tackle the job again.
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Permalink Reply by Fabulous Heather Days of Summer on
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Yes vacation - OUT OF TOWN - where you can not hear your pager even if you wanted to - makes your spouse and children very happy to have your undivided attention.
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Yes, the tinkering. I have found that lots of men decompress this way. I have also found that some women feel that men are goofing off while tinkering, so it is important for the man to explain to his spouse (or girlfriend, or even mother for younger FFs) that they are decompressing and releasing stress as they tinker - it helps cut down on the nagging if FFs communicate - I have had a hard day and just need a little time to myself right now.
And yes, I have discovered that when we have a personal thing going on in our lives it can make us more sensitive to similar situations which we encounter in our work load. Such as the guys that have toddlers at home may have a harder time with toddler calls; or the guys that have teenagers at home may have a harder time with a teen driving accident. Yes, people handle things differently and being supportive to each other and their different needs will make the department stronger.
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Welcome to the fold!!! Yes, start self-care now... before... you burn out.
I have found that getting your family, even extended family, to be supportive really helps ease the stress of the work load. And since due to confidentiality we always have to be careful what we share and we do not want to overwhelm our families, it is still important to recognize that they are present with you in spirit on scene and they like to know you are safe.
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Permalink Reply by Gregory Borg on
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Strong marriage, love of the job, great kids and friends, exercise, motorcycle rides, Brothers in the firehouse I can count on and some beer once in a while.
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Permalink Reply by Derek R. on
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Thanks Ralph, glad I'm not the only one. All I can say is that SO FAR I've been able to keep things from sticking. But maybe I haven't been to "that call" yet. Take it all as it's a part of what I signed up for.
I've also heard the words "thick-skinned". Not at all. I turn to mush when kids and critters do adorable things. I'm just able to separate.
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Yes Anthony - I can see how a cool head, personal confidence, and intentionality are all good things to manage the chaos - externally or internally
Thanks for your input.
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