Saving Our Own Takes On New Meaning
By Eriks Gabliks
When a firefighter calls a Mayday on the fireground, we call on every resource available. We spend countless hours training to ensure we take lifesaving action when a Mayday is declared. We also work so our Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) tasks are proficient.
In contrast, what do we do when a firefighter needs assistance and is NOT at an emergency incident? What do we do when a firefighter cannot use one word, like Mayday, to express distress manifested as anxiety, burnout, depression, and other mental and behavioral health concerns? Root factors may be job related such as a firefighter dealing with the death of a small child at a motor vehicle crash, or factors may not be related to the job such as a firefighter having challenges in his or her personal life.
