Tag Archive: Mental Health

Lead from the front lines: Care for our caregivers

By Jay Fitch, PhD Fitch & Associates The COVID-19 pandemic is challenging EMS and other parts of healthcare systems throughout the world. It’s frequently described as a war. From the caregiver’s perspective, we are losing the battle. EMS caregivers are particularly hard hit, often facing intolerable pressures at both work and home. As leaders, our job is…

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Fitch Insights: PTSD-We Have Enormous Work to Do

“We all have to come to a place where we’re looking at what’s driving crisis among our responders.” As EMS leaders, we have an ethical and moral obligation to take care of our people. Join Jay Fitch as he talks with Jim Marshall, MA, co-founder and director of the 911 Training Institute, about how we…

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I’d rather listen to your troubles than your eulogy

By Jay Fitch, PhD The medic’s eulogy was moving. Patrick was a great guy. A rock-solid clinician. A loving father. A faithful husband. And, as the funeral service progressed, my mind could not be quieted as I kept thinking why? Why did Patrick commit suicide when he had so much to live for? Read the…

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The importance of suicide prevention awareness

This month, organizations around the country are recognizing National Suicide Prevention Month. Sadly, for many of us, it is also a time to remember our colleagues, friends or family members who took their own lives, such as EMT, firefighter and emergency telecommunicator Isaac “Skippy” Greenlaw. EMS cartoonist Steve Berry, best known for his often humorous,…

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7 EMS Trends Affecting Cities

Many municipalities are pressured by shrinking budgets, how can leaders do more with less for EMS? Learn about the issues and how to proceed with expert intel.

Chief Concerns: Fire Service Fatigue- A Problem You Can’t Afford to Ignore

In the hours after a train derailed in Philadelphia, killing eight people, news reports were already stating that the engineer’s recent work schedule would be examined. This wasn’t surprising, given that just weeks earlier, the National Transportation Safety Board stated that operator fatigue was partially to blame for another train crash that occurred in Chicago last year. Anyone who’s worked in the fire service knows that fatigue can impact one’s work performance. In the aftermath of major incidents, we don’t always focus on fatigue as a factor—and it’s often extremely difficult to know just what role it plays when it comes to vehicle crashes, fireground injuries, or medical errors. One thing is clear, however: employee fatigue impacts every fire department, no matter how big or small, or what type of shift schedule. It’s an issue that no fire chief should ignore.

Trauma Takes Its Toll: Addressing the mental health crisis in emergency services

Amidst growing concern about the mental health of EMS professionals, a Fitch & Associates’ Ambulance Service Manager Program Project Team recently surveyed more than 4,000 EMS and fire professionals about critical stress, suicide, and available support and resources.1 The results were stark.

Breaking through the Shadows

Six steps to address caregiver suicide & improve mental wellness