Every job comes with a certain amount of stress. For first responders that stress may be a little tougher to deal with. The events that firefighters, police officers and emergency medical technicians experience on a daily basis can lead to things like post-traumatic stress and other neurological disorders if they are not properly addressed. To keep the members of your station happy and mentally healthy, you should establish a safe zone. AFBA has outlined some ways you can make your station a place where your fellow first responders can address their problems.
Hold group sessions
You and your coworkers may not always have time to get together and chat, but if possible, set aside a time when you can all come together. This will be a time when you can vocalize the stresses of the job and help each other work through them. Even the members of your crew who are not experiencing stress can participate by sharing positive stories that may help someone else in the group.
Create a stress-free environment
Even though stations may be full of hustle and bustle, it is important to keep the workplace free of unnecessary stresses. By keeping the station clean, organized and clutter free, you can help things run smoother. Your coworkers will appreciate the effort you have put into reducing the number of things they have to worry about.
Encourage them to leave the job at work
As a first responder, you understand the drive to serve your community. It can be difficult to stop serving when the shift is over. You can help your team reduce their risk of mental stress by reminding them to leave the job behind when they go home. Let them know that it is OK to enjoy time at home and leave the station behind.
Have helplines available
Sometimes your coworkers who need help or advice may not want to talk to you or other first responders. Keep information like suicide prevention hotlines, depression counseling numbers and PTSD resources readily available and easily accessible around the station. This way coworkers can use it when they need to.
Being a first responder means that you may experience some difficult situations in your career. However, knowing that you have a safe space to return to can help you cope with the stresses of the job. By establishing your station as a safe zone for you and your fellow coworkers, you could help reduce the risk of PTSD and other stress-related disorders.