No matter the emergency, first responders are there when people need help. The people on the front lines feel it’s a calling and a duty, but sometimes, it comes at a great personal expense. Burnout is a major concern among law enforcement, EMTs, firefighters and others.
It’s just another day on the job for Stephen Sawyer. He got off an overnight shift with the New York State Police and has made his way to his other role, an EMS regional manager assigned to the Hudson Valley. In between, he is also an active volunteer firefighter in Accord.
“My personal biggest challenge is saying no, which is not just mine. I share that with a lot of other people in this field. You’re here to help others, and a lot of the time you say yes to an overtime shift, you say yes to staying late and you aren’t taking care of yourself as you should be,” Sawyer said.