As the country takes in terrifying images of the latest wildfires scorching communities in California, Oregon and beyond, Chief Scott D. Kerwood is thinking of the firefighters out working the blaze. He knows that as weary as they may be, many are continually running on empty, worrying more about protecting others than taking care of themselves.
While the business of being a firefighter is physically demanding – even when they’re not putting out house fires or dealing with other emergencies, putting out wildfires is grueling work. And it’s made even more difficult by harsh environmental conditions that cause physiological and emotional stress. That’s why Kerwood says it’s critical for firefighters to take breaks to hydrate, rest, decontaminate their gear and take other important steps to recover. If they don’t take the time to take care of themselves during those arduous emergency situations, Kerwood warned, firefighters, risk causing injuries to themselves and to the colleagues they are supposed to protect.
“The goal is that when they are done with this job, they can go home to their family at the end of their shift — or at the end of their career,” said Kerwood, who serves on the NFPA committee that reviews the rehabilitation guidelines and requirements spelled out in standard 1584.
Given that wildland firefighters are exposed to extreme heat and toxic substances for extended periods of time may make them vulnerable to certain types of cancer, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses. There are long-term performance and health benefits related to rehabilitation practices for wildland firefighters. Beyond helping to lessen the risk of serious illness, adding services provided on the scene may also help firefighters recover properly so that they’re ready for the next emergency.
Although fire professionals have been urging the rank and file first responders to use incident-based medical services, showers, decontamination stations, and other rehabilitation resources for at least a decade, the recent push to focus on wildland first responders may be in part due to what some industry experts consider troubling trends.
A recent study, for instance, suggests that drier conditions at higher elevations may explain why some wildfires have occurred in areas previously considered ‘too wet to burn.’ Ten-year data suggest that the average number of acres that burned has increased in some regions. In addition, regions are also seeing more and more residential and commercial developments built in wildlands. Because of these additions, it may be more likely that we start to see more of the 1.1 million career and volunteer firefighters in the U.S. putting out wildfires.
Hydrate, Eat, Rest, and Repeat
Firefighters who are seeking guidance or need to review rehab practices and protocols should consult NFPA standard 1584. The materials for this year’s Firefighter Safety Stand Down campaign include helpful studies and handouts on nutrition, mental health, exposure mitigation, and other issues. Kerwood said the first responders should also take the time to study their agency’s rehabilitation action plans.
“They need to be prepared to take care of their own safety, as well as that of the rest of their crew,” he said. “We should, when we check out our apparatus, for example, at the start of the shift make sure that we have all the rehab supplies we need on that truck,” including cooling towels, hydration packs, and breath analyzers that measure carbon monoxide levels in the body.
“Because existing rehabilitation protocols were largely designed for incidents in built environments that have rapid access to medical care, protective equipment and portable facilities, such as decontamination showers, firefighters deployed to wildfires shouldn’t assume that all agencies have the proper gear and supplies for those incidents,” said Nathan Trauernicht, chief of the University of California – Davis Fire Department.
“But that also doesn’t mean the first responders shouldn’t ask for what they need,” he said. “For example, if a department doesn’t have a decontamination shower on the trucks to clean equipment at the scene, firefighters should ask the agency to provide cleaning wipes.
“Still,” Trauernicht said, ”firefighters should follow the basics of rehabilitation every time they take a break. For starters, they must hydrate, hydrate, and hydrate some more — and if possible take electrolytes. Because they burn tons of calories, they should eat foods that help replenish them. Their rehab routine should also include oxygen, blood pressure, and heart rate checks.
Rest, of course, is a must. And if firefighters need grief counseling or other mental health services, they should ask for them.”
More Improvements Needed
According to Kerwood and Trauernicht, while it’s very important for firefighters to diligently follow wildfire rehabilitation practices, they also urge first responders to stay physically and mentally fit. Being disciplined about their exercise, water intake and nutritional habits help them lessen their risk of injury or developing serious chronic illness.
“You may be off duty and not planning on engaging in your regular work activities, but when we send a strike team out, we start doing a station recall or several stations of recall,” Trauernicht said. “And you’re now in a position where you may be next out to go to a significant incident that’s going to require you to be nourished, hydrated, and rested.”
Kerwood and Trauernicht are among fire professionals who say agencies should do everything they can to protect the men and women in their departments who risk their lives daily.
Because it may become more commonplace for firefighters across the nation to work wildfires, Kerwood and Trauernicht said agencies need to accelerate changes to their standard operating manuals to keep up with trends.
They also would like to see administrators be more thoughtful about the protective gear and equipment they buy for their firefighters, because of the different environments they may encounter. For instance, the personal protective equipment firefighters wear for structure fires often isn’t appropriate if they need to fight a wildfire, because they can make them overheat. “When battling a wildfire, it’s about striking the right balance between protecting personnel from the obvious hazards of flames and the oftentimes the less recognized risk of heat stress,” Trauernicht said.
Manufacturers of protective personal gear and firefighting equipment should continue to pursue options that make it easier and safer for firefighters to work on wildfires. Trauernicht said he would also like to see additional research and emphasis on the development of respiratory protection solutions they would be able to use in those incidents.
As more and more studies shed light on the associations between the toxic substances firefighters are exposed to, the newer generations of firefighters are going to demand better PPE, Standard Operation Procedures for rehabilitation operations, and rehabilitation resources.
“If you look at the old photographs, not of just structure firefighters, but you look at wildland firefighters, and you see them with ashes and smudges on their face, and their gear’s nasty,” Kerwood said. “I mean, we all prided ourselves in that. Now, the folks that we’ve got coming in, it’s like, ‘Really? You lived that way?’
Our job as fire chiefs and fire service leaders, therefore, is to make sure ‘Everyone Goes Home.’”
And now that also includes fire leaders doing all they can to protect firefighters from heat stress, chronic disease, and other serious conditions they could develop from fighting fires.
You hear sirens and see flashing lights. There’s only one thing to do. Pull over.
There’s a reason you’re moving out of the way.
Even a few minutes delay can be a matter of life and death when you’re traveling by ambulance. The same holds true if a first responder can’t get to the scene of an accident, a fire, or disaster. Emergency vehicles need to get to the place where they can help people. If you’re on the road where they are traveling, you can help them get there by giving them a clear path to their destination.
Your moving car is dangerous to stopped vehicles.
You may have noticed a police officer, a roadside worker, a car pulled over on the side of the road, or even a wreck. Driving by them or rubbernecking at high rates of speed is dangerous. According to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA), “making a traffic or emergency stop on the side of our nation’s highways is one of the most dangerous things law enforcement officers do in the line of duty.”
Every two weeks, a first responder or roadside worker loses his/her life, reported AAA. The agency recommends slowing down to a speed that is 10-20 mph slower than the speed limit and changing lanes to be further away.
Pay attention so you’ll hear and see emergency vehicles.
If you have the radio blaring, if you’re texting, or otherwise distracted, you may not see or hear an emergency vehicle approaching. You might not know that you have to pull over until that vehicle is right there. Not only is that stressful, but your quick actions might also cause a collision.
Here’s what to do when you see lights and hear sirens.
Put on your turn signal and slow down.
Check your mirrors and make sure the way is clear.
Move over to the shoulder and park your vehicle.
Wait until the emergency vehicle has passed. You will want to stay at least 500 feet behind it.
Check your mirrors, put on your turn signal and carefully pull back into traffic.
Importantly, don’t slam on your brakes. Don’t travel through a red light. Don’t stop in the middle of your lane. And never try to outrun an emergency vehicle.
Where you are, and the direction you’re traveling, matter.
Emergency vehicles don’t always come from behind you. Sometimes they are traveling in the opposite direction, on the other side of the road. Do you still have to move over? Check your state laws for the rules regarding moving over for emergency vehicles.
If you are traveling in a high-speed lane, and there is no room to stop, slow down.
If you are traveling in the left lane, go right as traffic on the right moves over.
If the emergency vehicle is traveling on the opposite side of a divided highway, you don’t need to pull over.
If the emergency vehicle is traveling on the opposite side of the road, and there is no divider, pull over to your right. That vehicle may need to use your lane to get by.
Every state in the U.S. has a move-over law. Most people don’t know about it. Check your state’s law and learn what you need to do to keep everyone safe.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
Firefighting is a hot job no matter when you do it. But during the summer months, with all that extra heat and humidity, it can be brutal. How do you keep your cool — and cool down? Read on.
A blazing fire can be 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. In your heavy gear, the perspiration builds up and your core temperature can be as high as 160 degrees. After 20 minutes, you’re exhausted.Couple that with a hot summer’s day and it seems like there’s no relief in sight.
Here are some “do’s and don’ts” to help you cool down and stay safe on a hot summer’s day on and off duty.
Do: Stay hydrated.
Water is your drink of choice. (Or try coconut water which contains potassium, a great source of electrolytes.) Drink water whether you are thirsty or not. And drink it three days leading up to your shift—because it will help keep you hydrated. When you’re fighting an active fire, your body will evaporate 1 liter of sweat for each hour of work. Make sure to replace that loss by drinking electrolyte beverages as soon as you are able.
Don’t: Drink caffeinated beverages, sugared drinks, or alcohol.
Caffeine constricts blood vessels which makes you warm. Coffee, tea and caffeinated beverages are a diuretic, which means they cause you to urinate. Sugary drinks actually make you thirsty and can provide a crash in energy. Alcohol causes dehydration. Drink it the night before your shift and you will feel the effects the next day.
Do: Eat for the heat.
That means light healthy meals so your body doesn’t have to work as hard to process them. Include foods that help replenish electrolytes that are lost through sweating. These include watermelon, peaches, apricots, and radishes. Leafy greens also contain a large percentage of water, which helps keep you hydrated.
Don’t: Eat a heavy meal.
It takes a lot of energy for our bodies to digest a steak dinner. When our body breaks down protein, it creates heat. You don’t have to eliminate meat altogether; just take it easy and substitute more carbs.
When you’re in shape, you have a lower heart rate and body temperature. This allows you to adjust to heat stress twice as fast as your fellow Americans who are unfit.
Don’t: Push your physical limits.
It takes time to acclimate to working in the heat. Start gradually and increase over time. It takes about 10-14 days to get used to it. Listen to your body. It will tell you when you’re ready for a break.
Don’t: Run the air conditioner on the way to the fire.
The temperature change from cool to very, very hot can affect your body. Instead, keep the windows open and the air blowing but the air conditioning off on the way to a call.
Do: Use ice, water, and cooling technology.
Set up a bucket filled with ice water so that you can immerse your hands and forearms. Put a damp towel in the freezer and wrap it around the back of your neck when you need relief. Apply cold pressure to other pulse points: your wrist, chest, temples. Spritz yourself with a garden hose; dribble water down the back of your neck from your water bottle. Try a cold pack vest if it fits under your gear. But stay away from misting fans in a humid environment. They’re good for dry environments, but in high humidity, these fans can increase the chance of burns.
More than 700 people die each year from the heat. If you are feeling warm, light-headed or experiencing muscle cramps, get out of your jacket to let the heat escape. Apply icepacks to your forearms.
If you experience any of the symptoms of heatstroke, seek help immediately:
Body temperature above 103 Fahrenheit
Dizziness
Nausea
Headache
Red, hot and dry skin
Rapid heartbeat
Confusion
For more information on First Responder heat stress prevention, click here.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
The Fourth of July is a day of patriotism and pride. There’ll be BBQs, picnics, and parades all leading up to fireworks displays in towns and cities across the nation.
Family and friends will also gather for their own fireworks displays. While they can be beautiful and fun, safety groups warn to be safe when setting your own fireworks. All too many of us have known or heard about someone losing a finger, an eye, or suffering severe burns from an accident with one of these hot, exploding devices.
On average, more than 11,000 people are injured annually by fireworks. Young adults ages 20-24 are the most likely to be hurt, followed closely by children ages 5-9; most of the injuries occur on the hands and fingers, head, face and the eyes. Ouch! The National Fire Protection Association warns that even “kid friendly fireworks” like sparklersburn at 1,200 degrees – hotter than the temperatures that melt glass, plastics and some metals – inflicting terrible burns.
If you plan on setting off fireworks this year be safe and have fun! But always be sure to take the proper precautions so no one gets hurt. Follow these essential safety tips when you are shooting fireworks this weekend:
Never allow small children to play with or ignite fireworks
Only light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly
Never place any part of your body directly over a firework when lighting it’s fuse and back up a safe distance immediately after lighting
Don’t try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully
Never point or throw fireworks at another person
Always keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap
After fireworks complete their burning, douse it with plenty of water before discarding to prevent a trash fire
Be sure to also protect your home as well! The NFPA also warns that more fires are reported on Independence Day than any other day of the year, and fireworks account for two-out-of-five of those fires.
Is your home protected? Contact a California Casualty advisor to get a quick policy review at 1.800.800.9410 or visit www.calcas.com.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
One day, you’ll retire and leave the fast-paced life of a first responder. While that day may seem far off, it’s never too early to start planning.
Taking the first steps now will help you make the most out of your retirement later. Here’s what to consider.
What Retirement Will Cost
When you retire, you’ll want to be able to live a similar lifestyle to the one you enjoy now. Starting with the costs of your current lifestyle, you can estimate how much you’ll need for retirement. A general rule is that you’ll need about 80% of your current monthly salary to cover your needs in retirement.
Begin by estimating these costs now and in retirement. When thinking about future costs, you’ll also want to account for inflation (about 2% per year).
Housing (rent/mortgage, utilities, real estate taxes, home insurance, household maintenance)
The average American life expectancy is nearly 85 years old. That means, if you retire at age 65, you’ll need about 20 years of retirement income.
So, how much retirement savings do you need? Depending upon the cost of living where you are, you will likely require between $1 million and $2 million total to retire comfortably. If that figure alarms you, you’re not alone. Retirement can be daunting if you’re not prepared.
How Much Money Will You Have?
You won’t have a job when you retire, but you will have sources of income. This includes money in savings accounts, investments, retirement accounts, and more. Calculate how much money you will have based on these income sources.
Savings accounts
Putting money away each month for retirement really does pay off. That’s because, over time, you earn interest on your interest. Financial experts recommend banking 15% of your income each year. While historically, many people set up savings accounts at the brick-and-mortar bank where they have their checking account, you won’t earn a lot in interest. Consider a high-yield savings account offered at online institutions that are insured by the FDIC.
Social Security Benefits
Social security is a government program that provides income to retired Americans. It’s based on your lifetime earnings. You pay into the social security system every year that you work and then are eligible for money back when you retire. While social security is a great foundation for retirement, most Americans find that it’s not enough to cover all costs. You can calculate your anticipated social security here. (Note: Some states do not participate in social security for public employees. In those cases, the state offers a public retirement system. If you work in Alaska, Colorado, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, and Ohio, you may not receive social security.)
Retirement Savings Plans
If you’re a first responder, chances are that you have a 457 Plan. Similar to a 401(k), a 457 plan is offered by state and local public employers. In both plans, you can contribute pretax money from your paycheck, which then grows without being taxed until you withdraw it. You also may consider setting up a Roth IRA. While your contributions are not deductible, you are not taxed when you withdraw the money. Know which plan you have and its benefits. In many cases, you can choose low, medium, or high-risk plans, which can impact how much you will earn over time.
Pensions
While pensions are increasingly rare, some employers, usually public sector and unions, still offer them. With a pension, you will receive some percentage of your annual income based on how long you worked for the company. You have to meet the vesting requirements, which means that you have to work a certain number of years in order to qualify.
Many retirees work part-time to supplement their income or simply to keep busy.
Prepare for the Emotional Transition
You’ve spent your whole life serving others in a fast-paced, high-stress job. Retirement will be different, and as a result, could leave you with feelings of emptiness. Stepping down from your job could cause you to feel you’ve lost your purpose. Make sure that you prepare for the emotional transition as well as the financial one.
Figure out where to spend your time
You may wish to travel, spend time with your grandchildren, or volunteer. You may want to work on the house or the yard. You can take continuing education classes at the local college or offer to teach them at your community center. Ask around to find out about the opportunities in your community. Structure your days into a retirement routine that gives you a sense of purpose and an opportunity to enjoy life.
Connect with former team members
First responders are more than just coworkers. You’re a tightly-knit team, and when you retire, those bonds don’t suddenly disappear. Schedule time to connect with your former team members on a regular basis. It will do wonders for your mental health as you tackle retirement together.
Practice healthy habits
Keep yourself healthy through retirement by eating right, exercising, and staying on top of medical screenings. Staying healthy will help you to enjoy retirement to its fullest.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
“I’m thought of as a unicorn because of who I am: Black, male, and therapist,” said Blaise Harris, a licensed clinical mental health counselor and a member of the North Carolina First Responder Peer Support.
Recent data from the American Psychological Association confirms what most of us already know: Very few Black male therapists in the United States. Even fewer, though, are providers who also specialize in counseling for special responders or worked as firefighters. We had the pleasure of sitting down and speaking to Mr. Harris about his time working as a first responder and the mental health struggles he has seen firsthand.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and seemingly endless onslaught of challenges from 2020 to date, it’s no surprise that Americans reported feeling more anxious and depressed. To make matters worse, among first responders, firefighters reported the highest instances of depression, according to a 2018 report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “It wouldn’t be a surprise if those numbers were higher today, especially during the pandemic,” Harris said.
Harris is personally aware of the struggles and stressors that come with working as a firefighter and the fact that first responders are at a much greater risk to develop post-traumatic stress disorder than the general public. After working as a firefighter for almost 15 years, Harris knew he wanted to become a therapist to help himself and others through the power of therapeutic relationships.
How to stop counseling stigma from spreading
One of the biggest barriers to firefighters’ mental health is the fear of the stigma associated with it and the thought they may seem weak or even lose their jobs. Therapy (in general) is often stigmatized, and most firehouses in the U.S. don’t have the resources to staff a behavioral health provider. That’s why his organization exists – to pair struggling first responders with peer counselors who understand what they are going through and help prevent first responder suicide.
According to experts like Harris, a first step forward is to be transparent and be vulnerable about your mental health challenges.
“The biggest thing for me is showing people that I am vulnerable about my issues. I’m very upfront about the things that I have been through and that I am not always the happy-go-lucky person that you get to see,” said Harris. “I know that once I start sharing my story with people, they start to see that it’s OK for you to talk about your feelings and what you’re facing.”
Harris said he grew up hearing disparaging comments in the Black community about mental illness in general, like “You can’t go to therapy because you’re weak or if you go to therapy there’s something wrong with you.” He said he sees lots of overlap between the extra stigma of seeking therapy as a Black man and the counseling stigma among first responders, especially firefighters.
Start with being kind to your mind
While firefighters are trained to keep nerves of steel while on duty, it doesn’t negate the unique challenges that exist outside of the job.
Harris said he’s seen many firefighters excel at compartmentalizing other challenges like deaths, divorces, and illnesses and instead replace them with fire service work. While this strategy may feel like the perfect solution at the time, it isn’t healthy long-term.
“Being at the station was what kept me going and when I got off work, that’s when everything starts to take a toll, so I always ask firefighters are you getting off work to rest? Take a break? Take care of yourself?” he said. And when you don’t take enough time to rest and recover from these stressors, they can balloon into mental health problems. But even if they do, it’s absolutely nothing you should be embarrassed or feel guilty about.
Mental health is just as important as your physical health, and you owe it to yourself, and those around you, to maintain it.
Breaking the cultural barrier with empathy
Ending the stigma of mental health counseling in the fire service industry will require a shift in the culture. It’s not enough to start or even simply continue the conversation about breaking these mental health barriers. Action needs to take place. The myth of the mentally invulnerable first responder is harmful and unrealistic.
As the International Association of Fire Fighters acknowledged in a report, there’s plenty of work to be done to improve mental health awareness and when to seek treatment. According to Harris, the more we are getting the word out about first responder mental health awareness- the more we will see positive change. Even now, compared to years prior, there seems to more understanding and acceptance of mental illness and stress management among firefighters than he’s seen before.
“I think we’re starting to see that more people are taking the time to realize that hey, it’s OK not to be OK,” said Harris. The more we talk about these issues, the more we can normalize them. Let’s end the stigma, for first responders and around the world.
