Close this Advertisement

First Responders' PTSD Story Opens Debate

A story posted and broadcast Dec. 30 by NPR about a Colorado emergency responder's post-traumatic stress disorder is sparking a lively debate about the cost of treatment.

  • Jan 04, 2011

A story posted and broadcast Dec. 30 by NPR about a Colorado emergency responder's post-traumatic stress disorder is sparking a lively debate about the cost of treatment. Michael Ferrara, who spent 30 years as an emergency responder in Aspen, Colo., describes his own post-traumatic stress disorder, where he became unable to stop himself from recalling images of trauma victims at some of the scenes he had witnessed.

"It's really hard to come upon the body of a good friend. It's happened to me numerous times," he told NPR's Audie Cornish. The most recent example he cited was responding when a friend had died in a 2008 avalanche.

"It's just only recently become apparent that PTSD is rampant in the community of emergency responders," said Hampton Sides, who wrote the Outside Magazine January 2011 article about Ferrara on which the NPR story was based and joined Ferrara in the conversation with Cornish that was broadcast. Sides praised the Department of Veterans Affairs' work to treat PTSD and said increased awareness of PTSD is helping people who suffer from it.

Several kinds of comments are being posted about the online NPR article, sparking an online debate Monday. One kind warns taxpayers will be saddled with high costs for treating responders' PTSD, while another chides those concerned about cost for ignoring the valuable public service provided by responders and thinking only of themselves. Other commenters agreed PTSD is common among responders and can be effectively treated at reasonable cost.



Share this Page

Related Articles

Webinars

Whitepapers

Products

Comments

Sat, Sep 10, 2011 Brittany NC

As a taxpayer and an EMT Basic Responder, I would like to say that we shouldn't fully rely on the tax payers for our treatment of PTSD. You complain that it's time for the taxpayers to give back to the public reach (EMT) but they are already paying your wage plus their own treatment. Why not take 10 or 15 dollars from your own check to pay for your own problem like the taxpayers that we help do for themselves. Its definitely a controversial situation but taxpayers are not rich. We need to quit relying on them for so much.

Wed, Jan 19, 2011 Denver, CO

As a Paramedic for 20 years, it does suprise me that some taxpayers do not want to allocate funds for treatment of PTSD for emergency responders. The public fully supports the millions of dollars spent by the military treating PTSD for military service men and women, yet complain about the cost of treatment for public servants. Regarding the condition itself, in my experience, it is important to realize that every individual deals with PTSD differently. Therefore, anybody who suffers from it needs to understand that they don't fit into any generic category nor should they be treated as such. Each person should be assessed and the best course of treatment should be determined for that individual. I have seen many cases where the "one size fits all" approach with a peer critical incident stress debriefing has been more harmful than helpful. Bottom line, the condition exists and somebody needs to step up and provide the financial resources to prevent further damage and tragedies.

Thu, Jan 6, 2011 Jeff Eastman

There's an online program for PTSD at ClaytonStress.com. It's based on eye movement memory processing and according to combat vets that I have talked to, it really works. It is completely confidential, costs $12 per session any doesn't ask for any personal information. You can use it from your home computer 24/7. It's worth a few minutes just to look at the site.

Thu, Jan 6, 2011 Richard NYC

The article is incorrect when it states that "It's just only recently become apparent that PTSD is rampant in the community of emergency responders . . . ." In fact, those of us in the field of mental health who treat first responders have been working for years to improve the delivery of clinical services to those emergency workers afflicted with PTSD. It is now rare that emergency or first-responder training does not include some type of introduction to Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM; Mitchell, 1983). Dr. Jeffrey T. Mitchell developed a 7-phase system of debriefing responders in order to moderate the effects of traumatizing scenes and experiences of police, fire, and EMT's. Originally,called the "Mitchell Model," this debriefing technique is peer-driven and has a mental health clinician in attendance. CISM is more than only debriefing, and contains a continuum of services which have been accepted and are in practice internationally. Our first responders must learn to take care of themselves by requesting debriefings, and our agencies that manage these personnel should make CISM techniques a mandatory part of the jobs that they do.

I would urge all interested in this topic to review Dr. Mitchell's work, look into being trained in CISM, and the work of the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF: www.icisf.org)

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 Ed Zugg Billings, MT

As a volunteer EMT for a long time in a rural community, I understand. Sometimes PTSD develops years after an event. Due to stress of other natures, things can come back to haunt. Help is out there, and sometimes peers are a good avenue. We used to have debriefings after an event, and most of the time we handled it at the time. I applaud Mr. Sferazo for being there for anyone who even thinks they may have a problem. To all of my fellow responders, never be afraid to seek some help. Talking is so important, and most of your fellow responders have been there.

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 Lynn Corrall Pennsylvania

Being a former responder with 20 years of experience I am lucky to not suffer from PTSD even though I saw the same type of horrific sights that most Police, EMT's, Paramedics and Firefighters see during their careers. It is time that the taxpayers, of which I am one, realize that someone has to pay for the treatment of these public servants when problems do arise. When an emergency arises we pick up the phone and call 911. In a very short time these brave and selfless people show up to do their jobs, often on a volunteer basis. But when they call for help why should they be denied the same type of care or service that we demand of them. Regardless of the cost to the taxpayer it is time for us to give back to those who we count on in our time of need.

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 Marianne NYC

What surprises me more and more, is that the public expects that responder to be there, have a great bedside manner, treat them and get them to the hospital quickly. They are the first to complain if they are not treated to their expectation and yet, when the responder needs the care for his/her years of witnesses the most horrible of scenes and mutilation to a human body, they question their need for treatment. In the years before 9/11 a NYC responder would see gunshots, stabbing, burns, and horrible beatings. On 9/11 responders witnessed scenes like a soldier in a war. Those images forever engraved in their minds. responders do a job most people cannot stomach. You need them. You want them there. they are usually not paid well, and yet you expect them to solid like robots yet treat you humanly. Not possible. Our minds and bodies react like yours. And after so many years of witnessing horrible and sad things, we need help too. There have been many studies to this effect, and our first responders should be treated if they develop PTSD. This is something they have to live with, because they chose a life of helping others. Just my 2 cents.

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 john sferazo new york

I would like to comment about this article above. I am a 9-11 Responder who has suffered the same or similar type of Affliction. I saw very little being done in regards to helping these people who suffer from this and suffer from any Medical Affliction related to 9-11, so I became an Advocate after going through Therapy for these maladies. While I am on the road to recover, I wanted to do more than feel bad about their loss, so not only did I become an Advocate, whose impact became well known, but I am creating an "Outlet" for these People in Rural Maine. Please Google Search my name, then go to; www.americangreenlands.org for verification. I would be happy to speak with you more, should you desire so.

Add your Comment

Your Name:(optional)
Your Email:(optional)
Your Location:(optional)
Comment:
Please type the letters/numbers you see above

Follow Us

Join OH&S Magazine on SafetyCommunity!
Join us on SafetyCommunity!

Upcoming Webinars

5/24: It's Not Just the SAMHSA 5 Anymore: K2/Spice, Bath Salts and Emerging Drug Trends
Which drugs should employers test for? Synthetic drugs like K2 and Spice, as well as seemingly harmless products like Bath Salts, have become as popular as the illegal drugs they try to mimic. These questions and more will be explored in this enlightening webinar.

5/30: An Introduction to Machine Safety
A common sense look at the regulatory framework of machine safety, best practices and practical solutions to ensuring a safe machine and workplace.

5/31: IAQ is Critical to Earning LEED Points, Green Building and a Healthy Workplace
This is an informative webinar on the role of high performance buildings in workplace health and safety.

6/14: OHSAS Guidance for Small Businesses: Protect and Grow Your Business
OHSAS 18001:2007 Certification offers more than just a globally recognized Health and Safety System. It can also help your business.

6/27: The Different Forms of Machine Safeguarding and When to Use Them
Some of the topics include: the different forms of safeguarding and when to use them. Safety devices to be reviewed may include: interlocking devices, light curtains, safety mats, safety scanners, two hand control units, and safety strips.

Spotlight

For May, OH&S puts the spotlight on: