First responders may witness many difficult things in their daily lives. These things can sometimes lead to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder. One of the most important ways to combat PTSD is communication. First responders who are dealing with PTSD may not want to seem like a burden on their colleagues, so they may try to bury their feelings and close themselves off. To prevent your fellow first responders from suffering in silence, create an atmosphere of open communication in your workplace. AFBA has listed five ways you can accomplish this below:

1. Announce an open-door policy
Call a meeting in your station house or department to let your colleagues know that you are always available to talk if they need to. You could also pair your co-workers up with a communication partner so that everyone knows there is someone who will look out for them. You might also consider scheduling weekly one-on-one meetings with your co-workers to check in with them and encourage open communication.

2. Establish a respectful environment
Joking and tom-foolery are an inevitable part of working with first responders. This is a healthy way of coping with the stresses of the jobs. However, make sure your co-workers understand the difference between jokes and bullying. Hosting a few sessions on workplace respect is always a good idea if you have the time. 

3. Create a "safe zone"
Many first responders do not discuss their emotional stress for fear of being judged by their peers. If you create a space where your colleagues can approach you with their problems in complete confidentiality and without fear of judgment, they may be more likely to reach out in times of need. A safe zone will also discourage other first responders from bottling things up.

4. Respond instead of reacting
An important step in establishing a good line of communication is to respond instead of reacting. When someone comes to you with a problem or to let off some emotional steam, it is best to listen in silence. Keep emotion and reaction off your face if possible. When the employee is finished, choose your response carefully but keep it objective. 

5. Be knowledgeable
Your fellow first responders are willing to trust you with their lives in the field. They should be able to do the same when it comes to emotional support. By remaining knowledgeable on the latest PTSD treatment information and keeping up-to-date on the resources available for first responders mental health support, you may be able to pass the information along to a colleague who really needs it. 

PTSD and other work related stresses are not uncommon in first responders. Firefighters, police officers and emergency medical service workers have difficult jobs and may experience challenging incidents. Creating a workplace where they feel comfortable discussing these troubles could help alleviate some of the stress and isolation fellow first responders may be going through. By following AFBA's advice above, you may make your station house or department a place of open communication.

First responders have a reputation for giving back to their communities in more ways than simply keeping it safe. One group in North Rockland, New York, decided to have a little fun with their charity work. On Sept. 30, 17 first responders in the area will compete in the "Mr. Legs" competition.

Lohund.com reported that the firefighters, police officers and emergency medical service workers will compete in competitions like hairiest, most hairless, muscular, tattooed, shortest and longest. The source also stated that there would even be a category called Legs on Fire where the participants dance to the song "Hot Hot Hot."

The Rotary Club of North Rockland is charging $20 for admission and appetizers to enjoy while watching the show. There will also be raffles for prizes.

All the money from the fundraiser brings in an estimated $5,000 to $6,000 for local first responders crews every year. Sonia Crannage,  the chairwoman of the event, told the news source that the winners of each category have a chance to bring some of those earning back to their departments. 

The competition will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Hudson Water Club.

Every year the city of New Carlisle, Ohio, hosts the Heritage of Flight Festival. This year's festival will feature a new ceremony. The first responders in the New Carlisle community organized an event called the Blessing of the Badges. 

According to New Carlisle News, firefighter Jerry Meddock, a big proponent of the event, got the idea for the Blessing of the Badges when he saw a similar event on a family vacation in Michigan. He doubles as his department's chaplain, and he has invited first responders to come and get their badges blessed on Oct. 4 during the town's festival. 

"We never know when we start a shift, whether it's fire or EMS or police work, if we're going to be able to come home that night," Meddock told the news source. 

Meddock's blessing will ask for good luck and safety for all firefighters, police officers and emergency medical service workers in attendance. He and the other organizers told New Carlisle News that all first responders, not just locals, were welcome to participate. 

The Blessing of the Badges will take place at New Carlisle's Main Street Stage from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.  

Firefighters in Portage, Indiana, were used to keeping their hair cut short and clean, but when they saw an opportunity to help a local family they decided to forgo the barber for a while. When firefighter Tom Colvin found out that Eli Alexander, a local 3-year-old had been diagnosed with Leukemia, he and seven of his colleagues began growing out their hair as part of a fundraiser. The firefighters were quickly joined by a city street manager and a fire department chaplain. 

The group initially began growing their hair in March 2015 with plans to donate any funds they collected to the St. Baldrick's Foundation. However, they were told about Alexander and shifted their efforts to help the child and his family. Alexander has gone through multiple surgeries and chemotherapy. 

Many of the participating firefighters told NWI.com that they had family members affected by cancer, so they were happy to be able to help the Alexander family. The 3-year-old is expected to receive news on his recovery next month, but the firefighters have extended their fundraising efforts through March 2016. 

Alexander's mother told the news source she was extremely grateful fro what Colvin and the other men have done for her son. 

The USA Freedom Kids, a group of girls who perform patriotic song and dance routines, recently took their act to the local police station in Marco Island, Florida. Debbie Popick, one of the founders of the girls group, never expected her squad to become as popular as they are now.

According to the Marco Island Sun Times, the USA Freedom Kids recently released their first single, "National Anthem Part 2," on iTunes. Popick was inspired to create a music video for the popular song and wanted to involve local first responders. Popick called the Marco Island Police Department to see if the officers would be interested in participating in the video. The department's chief agreed and told Popick to bring her girls by the station. 

The news source also reported that Popick and The USA Freedom Kids were warmly greeted by many local first responders. The girls then taught the police officers and firefighter the USA Freedom Wave, which is the signature dance move that would be featured in the music video. Popick's husband, Jeff, told the Marco Island Sun Times that the first responders really got into the production, and it left a lasting positive impression on the girls.

While first responders put their lives on the line to keep their communities safe, they do not always receive the thanks they deserve. One automotive dealer in Texas decided to change that by hosting an event to show gratitude for the local police officers, firefighters and emergency medical service workers.

Anderson Ford in Cleveland, Texas, hosted its initial First Responders Appreciation Lunch on Sept. 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Observer reported that the dealership's owner, Alfred Anderson, has been a supporter of local first responders for decades. Anderson is also a strong advocate of community programs such as "Don't Meth With Me," an after-school event to keep kids off drugs. 

Anderson's business invited first responders to come for free hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn and other treats. There was also live entertainment. Anderson also invited members of the public to attend for a $10 donation to The 100 Club, an organization that supports the families of fallen first responders. 

Anderson led the serving line as he and the rest of his staff dished out the delicious meals to first responders and thanked them for their service to the community. 

The First Responder Games were created by Florida first responders in 2014 as a way to promote camaraderie through competition. They compete in activities such as cycling, basketball, softball, archery and many more.

This year's games are being held in Brevard County, Florida. They began on Sept. 16 and will continue through the 27th. However, the basketball portion of the games has concluded and the three teams of the Brevard County Sheriff's Department took home multiple medals. 

According to SpaceCoastDaily.com, the women's team, The Lady Enforcers, went undefeated throughout the whole tournament. The women showed their exceptional talent and athleticism by bringing home the gold medal for the Brevard County Sheriff's Department. The men from the sheriff's department were divided into two teams due to the large number of participants. The news source reported that one team played in the more challenging Division I bracket while the other played in the Division II bracket.

The Division I team earned the bronze medal, while the Division II team went home with the silver.

SpaceCoastDaily.com also reported that the community was proud of its first responders for their victories.  

Firefighters are known for saving people from burning buildings, but one unit in Grand Rapids, Michigan, took their duty one step further. The firefighters from the Bridge Street Fire Station saved a local family's beloved dog.

When firefighter Craig Lewis and his crew went on scene at a house fire at 7 a.m. on Sept. 15, they did not realize that there was a dog in the family's burning home. Lewis rushed back into the home and found the pet near the door. He told Wood TV-8 News that the dog was not in good condition. Bringing the animal out to safety, he quickly began to perform CPR and apply the snout-shaped oxygen mask to the dog's face. 

ABC News-10 reported that after 30 minutes of attention, the family's pet came to with a wagging tail. Witnesses applauded the firefighters' efforts and dedication, but Lewis said it was all part of the job.

"Every firefighter, whether it's a human, a person or an animal, it's just our nature," he told Woodtv.com. "We like to save lives and didn't even think twice about it."

Lewis and his crew are receiving an outpouring of positive responses to their story on social media. 

When Trish Buchanan's husband, a police officer in East Hartford, Connecticut, took his own life because of post-traumatic stress disorder, she searched for a way to make sure no other first responder had to go through what her husband experienced. Buchanan partnered with the Connecticut Alliance to Benefit Law Enforcement to found Believe 208.

The number 208 was her husband's badge number, and the organization helps first responders cope with depression and PTSD. They link police officers, firefighters and emergency medical service workers to support groups and provide resources to help them cope with the stresses of their jobs. Believe 208's upcoming event is the annual 5K race, which remembers first responders who have taken their lives because of work-related stress.

For Buchanan and her family, it is a difficult but rewarding time. 

"[My husband] helped so many people while he was living and doing the job that he did," Buchanan told Eyewitness News 3. "I'd like to think that through his death we're going to save people also, and I'd like to think that he's smiling down on us."

This year's race will be held on Sept. 20 and will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Knights of Columbus on Main Street in East Hartford.

It is important for children to trust first responders and be ready to ask them for help should they ever need it. This is why the first responders of Circleville, Ohio, started Kids and Badges Day. This year's event marked the fifth annual gathering. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m on Sept. 12, families came to Circleville's Mary Virginia Crites Hannan Park to visit with local firefighters, police officers and emergency service workers.

Nicole Allen, one of the event organizers, told The Circleville Herald that the local first responders dedicate a lot of time and effort to Kids and Badges Day. They want the children to respect their jobs and know that they are there to help. 

The day started off with a tribute to 9/11 first responders. Afterward, the kids in attendance got to participate in activities that demonstrate what daily life is like for the various first responders. They were also allowed to explore the emergency vehicles and witness canine demonstrations. 

Parents had the opportunity to enroll in child identification programs and fire prevention courses while the children enjoyed the bouncy castle and hotdog cookout.