Traumatic Arizona fire highlights need for mental health services for firefighters

  • Source: KASW-CW6 & KTVK-3TV (azfamily.com)
  • Published: 04/30/2021 12:00 AM

VIDEO: A fire at a Tempe duplex that left a nine-year-old boy dead is highlighting the need for mental health services for firefighters. "How do you prepare for someone to see something -- a child that's dead or dying or that's been injured," said Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Deputy Chief Mark Manor. Manor says fire departments have to be reactive when caring for a firefighter's mental health. "Over the course of a career you could see hundreds of things that just kind of bottle up. And one tragic event like we had yesterday could really set someone off and we want to do the best we can to keep that from happening." Fire departments across the Valley, including Tempe Fire Medical Rescue, are now offering mental health services to combat PTSD. "Employee assistance programs, that kind of thing, as well as another third-party provider we use to specialize in mental health and mental wellness and they specialize in public safety personnel," Manor said.



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