CopShock: Second Edition
Surviving Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
by Allen R. Kates, MFAW, BCECR
Fire Fighters
CopShock is a book about
police officers, but it is hard not to recognize fire fighters as brothers and
sisters in harm’s way. They experience PTSD just as much as police officers, and
need the same consideration and support. Many fire fighters have read the first
edition of this book and derived a lot from the stories and resources. In this
second edition, the chapter about police officer turned firefighter Jimmy Brown
and his experiences during 9/11
and its aftermath shows us the sacrifices
that fire fighters make for our society, and how they suffer silently from
trauma.
North American Fire Fighter
Veteran Network (NAFFVN)
The NAFFVN addresses the needs and
concerns of fire fighters who run into burning buildings when everybody else is
running from them. Fire fighters experience PTSD at the same rate as police
officers, which can be as high as one-third. Some say fire fighters exhibit more
PTSD than cops. But fire fighters do not have many resources, and, like police,
they have a culture that frowns on revealing feelings or saying they need help.
This website intends to change that perspective.
Prepared by Senior Chief
Shannon H. Pennington, this website aims to provide a much needed resource so
fire fighters and their families can learn about PTSD and its effects. It
describes firefighter “self-care,” and the steps a fire fighter (or anyone) can
take to make sure they don’t develop PTSD.
Go to: http://firefighterveteran.com.
Phone: 250-812-3737.