The hidden cost of public safety.
First responders are crucial to it, but it comes at a human cost. They’re often told to tough it out because it`s just part of the job, but that mentality is changing.
Boris Garrett, better known as BK, was a North Carolina State Trooper for 31 years. He’s seen his fair share of stress-related incidents, even within his first few weeks on the job. “When you’re on scene, you have to put on that work face,” said Garrett. “[When] I was a young trooper, I was in Greensboro going to a wreck and I noticed a gentleman was out in the road.”
That young gentleman was a fellow brother, a lieutenant for the sheriff`s office. “After I went home, I sat in myself and just kind of sobbed,” Garrett said. “It bothered me.”
It is common for any first responder, whether it be law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical services or even emergency medical dispatchers to face trauma daily.