Keeping correctional staff safe begins with how we prepare to respond to correctional emergencies. This preparation is usually dealt with under the umbrella of emergency preparedness planning. It is important to note that correctional personnel respond to emergencies as first responders.
Staff members initially respond to these emergencies, determine what type of specialized emergency response is needed, then assist with handling the problem while the appropriate specialized response teams are called to the scene, such as correctional emergency response teams, EMS, fire department or maintenance department.
Get Professional-Level Training for Your Students and Faculty!
Did you know the Red Cross provides a training program based on the national EMS educational standards for an Emergency Medical Responder?
Emergency Medical Response is a dynamic 56-hour course featuring lecture, video, simulated emergency situations, discussion and hands-on skill practice based on the national EMS curriculum requirements and educational standards.
While Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) does not provide state licensure or certification as an Emergency Medical Responder, this course is ideal for high school and college-aged students to receive training similar to the training EMS professionals receive as they look to enter careers in healthcare, public safety, or law enforcement.
Firefighters and EMS personnel routinely witness horrific events that ordinary people don’t. These experiences can lead to mental health issues, including PTSD and depression—even suicide. Here you can view the latest findings, policies and procedures that can help first responders and their leaders recognize behavioral health problems and take action before they put themselves and those around them at risk.
Recognizing emerging or existing mental health issues is critical to keeping first responders safe.
Like most emergency responders, firefighters are expected to be calm, level-headed and able to face even the most challenging situations with courage. They have long been expected to contain their emotions and approach their jobs with logic and reason, with the understanding that only those who have the ability to successfully manage the stress and emotional aspects of the job are cut out for success.
As a result, many firefighters have suppressed their feelings, with devastating consequences to their mental health. Research indicates that a large number have experienced mental health issues such as PTSD, anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts. For example, one study of 7,000 firefighters found that 65% of the respondents struggle with memories of difficult calls, while 59% have had family or relationship problems as a result of their jobs. Substance abuse issues were experienced by 27%, while 19% have had thoughts of suicide.
In this article, we explore why mental health is critical for firefighters and what resources are available to help departments raise awareness within their teams.
Being an Emergency Dispatcher is difficult for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, the job is incredibly intense and stressful; at any moment you could answer the phone to a panicked caller and alter the course of their lives depending on your actions. To top it all off, this is done at a lower salary level compared to other first responders.
Those that quit during dispatcher training cite not being able to handle the “rapid pace of the job and the responsibility of having someone’s lives in their hands.” The hours are long, and there is mandatory overtime; working during emergencies and on holidays is often required as dispatchers are needed 365 days out of the year, 24 hours a day. In small towns, dispatchers must often take calls from people that they know.
