Information for Health Professionals • Assist Trauma Care

First responders are the first people on the scene when disaster strikes, whether the disaster is a personal one or a national incident. As such they are exposed to highly stressful traumatic events in the course of their routine duties.

Such responders include:

Firefighters
Ambulance Men and Women
Police Officers
Hospital Response Teams

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Despite the excellent training most first responders receive, their work involves not only witnessing the terror, pain and tragedy of others but on occasion also risking their own lives.

Factors which lead to increased risk of First Responders developing PTSD include:

Repeated exposure to death, dismembered body parts and human remains
After an especially disturbing call, having to continue to respond to other calls regardless
Chronic fatigue levels
Cumulative stress because of repeated exposure to trauma
Having no control over the volume of calls;
Seeing a colleague killed or injured in the line of duty
Witnessing the death of a child
Prolonged or failed rescue operations
Exposure to mass traumatic incidents and resultant feelings of helplessness
Being in a situation where one feels helpless in the face of overwhelming demands.

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People are sometimes able to recover from acute stress of this nature using their own coping skills and support from friends and family. However if a month has passed since the event and the First Responder is still experiencing significant distress, this may signal Post-traumatic Stress Disorder which without help is likely to become both chronic and disabling.

To complicate matters, many first responders see themselves as “tough” professionals who shouldn’t be vulnerable to emotional stress. Some may hide behind humor or substance abuse rather than admit they’re suffering from PTSD.

PTSD isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a normal reaction to an abnormal situation. By recognising PTSD and seeking treatment First Responders can heal and get back to the important jobs they’re passionate about.