Because first responders are more likely to die by suicide than the general public, UW Health in Madison is working to help address the situation, as are local agencies in the Chippewa Valley.
According to a report from the CDC this year, law enforcement officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty, and EMS are nearly 1.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general public.
Mark Renderman, fire chief of Altoona Fire and Rescue, said in their department, they do critical incident stress debriefing within 24 to 72 hours after a traumatic event.
If that's not enough, Renderman said they also provide additional counseling through the "Employee Assistance Program."