In light of the recent deadly apartment fire in Aurora that took a child’s life and hospitalized two others, FOX31 checked in with a nonprofit that helps front-line workers deal with mental health and stress injuries that the job creates.
The fire was allegedly set on purpose and burned through 12 units, displacing 31 people — 18 adults and eight children. A 5-year-old boy died.
The All Clear Foundation said they recognize the things that they are exposed to on the job impact the human behind the badge, the uniform and the scrubs. “There is pretty consistent occupational exposure to the intense trauma and pain of other people, to a lot of tragedy,” said Rhonda Kelly, the executive director of the All Clear Foundation. “Responders experience exposure to more stress and trauma in the course of a year than many people do in their lifetimes. It is a lot to handle.”