Mental Health
The importance of bearing witness to the tragedy we encounter in daily life, and the gifts that these difficult situations sometimes bring
We do everything we can in the hope we’re wrong about what is happening to the smallest of victims
From dark humor, to ice cream, to prayer, EMS professionals say there’s no single fix, and some warn there’s too little time to process
Shawn Frier, who served with multiple EMS and fire agencies, including Hancock County, Washington County and Jones County, is being remembered by colleagues as a dedicated paramedic who touched many lives
As KCFD handles about 400 calls a day, union-run program 42 CARES offers confidential counseling for firefighters coping with cumulative trauma
Larry Johnson, who flew into the chaos of the 1993 Waco raid as a CareFlite flight paramedic, details his experience treating the wounded and coping with PTSD in “Into the Fire”
8 ways to moderate humor to improve patient connection and care, and avoid taking it too far
Delaware County’s peer-support program connected 100% of engaged first responders to care through a 24/7 hotline and weekly confidential drop-in meetings
EMT Casey Carr describes the emergency care that helped save York County Sheriff’s Lt. Dave Godfrey after he suffered eight gunshot wounds in an ambush that killed three detectives
FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito recounts FDNY’s devastating losses, the decisions that saved thousands of lives and why honoring 9/11 means preparing the next generation to meet the moment
Research on World Trade Center responders found PTSD and prolonged Ground Zero exposure were associated with signs of accelerated brain aging
Melinda Brugger, a former Plattekill EMS captain, and James Brugger, a former fire chief, were found dead at a Milton Turnpike residence
The proposal would provide $7.5 million annually for suicide prevention, peer support, counseling and other mental health resources
Specially trained Critical Incident Stress K-9s are helping first responders process traumatic calls, reduce stress and open up during peer-support debriefings
“It’s not that millennials and alphas don’t want to work; it’s that they don’t want to be lied to anymore, and let’s be honest: EMS has been living a lie for too long.”
A new union contract provides critical incident leave, but dispatchers say more support is needed after traumatic calls and long shifts
Creating multiple pathways to wellness — including equine-assisted support — can help first responders find the kind of care that meets them where they are
The new “Patient Playback” podcast, hosted by Dr. David Tan, highlights clinical reasoning, system improvements and the realities of high-acuity calls
Kooper visits Sioux City fire stations to help firefighters and paramedics cope with job stress, traumatic calls and burnout through simple interactions and companionship
New Hampshire has become the first state to extend its employee assistance program to volunteer firefighters, EMTs and other first responders
By automating transcription, translation and administrative work, AI frees dispatchers to focus on what matters most: listening, assessing and guiding people through their worst moments
New laws are broadening access to PTSD care, including treatment funding, medical cannabis protections and research into psychedelic-assisted therapy
The Spring 2026 Ambulance Service Manager class graduated 41 EMS and public safety professionals, while a 911 workforce study earned international recognition
How First Priority Mobile Healthcare is rethinking workforce sustainability
The First Responder Center for Excellence and the University of Iowa are developing free online wellness modules to help first responders build coping skills and recognize when stress becomes distress
Freeman Health System’s new EMS Appreciation Lounge gives paramedics, EMTs and air medical crews a place to rest and refuel
Dr. Joelle Donofrio-Odmann confronts cumulative EMS trauma head-on
