mental health
On our worst day. Firefighters are there for us.
On the surface, we think of them as community heroes who fight fires and show up when we need them most. We probably think a bit less about the gravity of the types of life-threatening situations they face and distressing events they witness.
Because of the stress of the job, PTSD and depression are all too common in Firefighters. These conditions lead to an unforgiving impact on their physical well-being. The ripple effect greatly impacts their families as well.
The heart of my “why” is aligned to the meaning behind our mission – to positively impact Springfield Fire Department members and their families. I can think of no better way to show our support and honor their service than to ensure no out-of-pocket expenses for mental health services.
As much as they need it for as long as they need it.
Uli’s story
Firefighter owned JW Media sat down for a candid conversation with fellow firefighter, Uli, to capture his story. Be advised – the video contains radio traffic from an actual call – the call that Uli describes as the tipping point of his finite capacity for trauma.
Senate bill 24
Thanks to Uli’s bravery in sharing his story at the State Capitol, he trailblazed a path for Senate Bill 24. This act establishes post-traumatic stress disorder as a compensable occupational disease under workers’ compensation when diagnosed in first responders, as defined in by law. After a long career, Uli was the first in the state to retire with full benefits due to PTSD.
We are continuously raising funds for mental health. If you would like to donate, please utilize the link below. If you are interested in supporting on a sponsorship level please reach out to friendsofspringfieldfire@outlook.com
Friends of Springfield Fire 