Firefighting is no easy job. In fact, it is one of the world's most dangerous professions, and firefighters put their lives on the line daily for the safety of others. However, many firefighters do not make a salary high enough to support their families.
Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam told New4Jax.com that the average state employed firefighter in Florida makes $27,000 per year. That number is almost half of what the average teacher in Florida makes.
"Our firefighters are demonstrably underpaid relative to their peers in other southeastern states," Putnam told News4Jax.com.
Putnam and a group of other state officials are pushing for a pay increase for the state's firefighters. He and his supporters believe higher pay would lower the turnover rate in state firefighters and help develop more experienced stations. The agricultural commissioner and the others are hoping for a $2,000 salary increase for Florida firefighters.
According to WCTV News, the officials got a pay increase approved by the state Legislature earlier in the year, but Florida governor Rick Scott vetoed it, stating that no one group of state workers should receive a raise.
Putnam and the other officials plan to continue lobbying for the first responders.
For 75 years, the West Ridge Fire Department in Erie, Pennsylvania has been keeping the community safe and protecting the local residents of Millcreek Township. The station's website reported that the Zuck family purchased the first firetruck and organized the department in Sept. of 1940. They were committed to keeping the agricultural area safe and free from disaster. It now protects the second-largest municipality in Erie County.
On Sept. 27, the station opened their doors to the public for tours and an anniversary celebration.
According to YourErie.com, the crews invited people to tour the station house and ask questions about their daily life. They also allowed the younger members of the community to climb into the fire trucks and explore the inner workings. Some of the kids even got to man the fire hose and witness a medical helicopter land on site.
In tradition with keeping the community safe, the firefighters of West Ridge Fire Department held fire safety classes and did medical training for the adults.
From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., the fire crew welcomed each guest and shared their happiness surrounding their anniversary.
Every year more than 200 firefighters from around the country travel to Portland, Oregon, to participate in the city's Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge. This year, the event took place on Sept. 27, and the firefighters who were involved used the challenge as an opportunity to raise money for cystic fibrosis patients.
The firefighters who accept the challenge are not just climbing stairs, though. According to Fox 12 Oregon, they will be climbing 40 flights of the U.S. Bancorp Tower in full gear.
"It's one of those psychological races," Gresham firefighter Jeremy Forrest told KOIN 6 News. "It's mind numbing because you're going in circles and straight up."
Many of the spectators are in support of the firefighters cause as they have family members or friends who are diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, and the participants themselves are happy to help their community in any way they can.
Last year alone, the Portland Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge rose $190,000. KOIN 6 News reported that the event has raised almost $1 million since retired Portland firefighter Wes Loucks started it in 2008. Loucks' grandsons had cystic fibrosis, and he is committed to finding a cure.
The Mayo Clinic stated that post-traumatic stress disorder is caused by "a psychologically traumatic event, such as war, a natural disaster, or any situation that invokes feelings of helplessness or intense fear." Veterans and first responders both experience things in their daily lives that can lead to PTSD. It is important for friends, family members and colleagues of these heroes to be aware of the signs and symptoms of PTSD, so they are able to recognize it in their loved ones and seek the appropriate help.
1. Trouble sleeping or night terrors
Sleep is a time of vulnerability for the mind. The person experiencing PTSD may have trouble getting rest because flashbacks of the traumatic event can occur during sleep. Partners or roommates of those with PTSD should watch out for signs of frequent tossing and turning, sleep walking or talking and night sweats, as these can all be indications that your loved one is experiencing PTSD.
2. Social withdrawal
Veterans and first responders coping with PTSD may be less inclined to interact with friends and family than they were previously. They may neglect to return phone calls, refuse to participate in social activities and alienate themselves from relationships. If you noticed your loved one excluding himself or herself from social engagements he or she previously enjoyed, your loved one may be dealing with PTSD.
3. Unwarranted anger or aggression
PTSD can sometimes change the brain chemistry in a way that increases the temper and aggressive tendencies. If your loved one is coping with PTSD, he or she may lash out at you or others without reason. A tendency toward violence or an argumentative demeanor may suggest that your former servicemember or first responder is dealing with PTSD.
4. Feelings of hopelessness
While your loved one may not always communicate these feelings, they are relatively simple to spot. For example, if the veteran or first responder seems to give no thought to his or her future, seems to have little interest in the world around them and will not commit to anything ahead of time, they may be experiencing PTSD.
5. Physical and emotional numbness
If your loved one's smile no longer lights up a room and they seem unattached to their daily lives, he or she may be dealing with depression from PTSD. Another sign to look out for is a lack of motivation for physical activity or care of physical appearance.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reported that 11 to 20 percent of veterans will experience PTSD and a similar percentage of first responders will also be faced with this mental disability. PTSD can lead to more serious issues like substance abuse, self harm and depression. However, PTSD is not unbeatable. With the proper treatment and support, veterans and first responders stand a good chance to overcome their trauma and return to their normal lives. Family members, friends and co-workers of these brave individuals must stay educated on PTSD. Remaining vigilant for signs of the mental disorder in their loved ones ensures they can get them help if they need it.
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.