From fatal fires to grisly car crashes, firefighters regularly witness many harrowing events. Those experiences take a toll. A fire department is three times more likely to experience a suicide than a line-of-duty death, according to research by the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation.
A recent study found that 47 percent of firefighters in the United States have considered suicide; 19 percent have developed a plan; and 15 percent have attempted suicide. Studies have found that nearly one-third of firefighters has experienced Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Given these statistics, firefighter organizations across the country are tackling suicide prevention. And the Spotsylvania Volunteer Fire Department is being proactive and hosting a series of workshops for firefighters and their families.
Workshops for firefighters will be held on Oct. 19, 7-9 p.m.; Oct. 20, 7-9 p.m.; and Oct. 21, 9-11 a.m. A family edition will be held Oct. 21, 1-3 p.m. The workshops will be held at Spotswood Baptist Church. To register, contact Sue Carter at svfd2085@aol.com.
The workshops will be held in conjunction with the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance and Dr. Sara Lapacka.