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Alcohol and Drug Resources and Interventions for First Responders and Firefighters:
Part III: Resources for First Responders and Firefighters
2121 NW 40th Terr. Suite B, Gainesville, FL 32605
Third of 4 parts originally presented to Gainesville Fire and Rescue 11/20/13 in a panel discussion. The first part discussed alcohol and prescription drug problems in firefighters and first responders, suicide, and contributors of stress and PTSD. The second part of this series described indicators and behavioral signs of alcohol or drug intoxication, impairment and after-effects. This part is a list of educational materials, resources, websites, and crisis lines for firefighters, fire departments, law enforcement officers, and other first responders comprises the third part of this series. The final part of the series involves a brief presentation of treatment principals and states of treatment readiness and action.
EAP and Treatment Services for Firefighters and First Responders
Most First Responder and Fire Departments have established Employee Assistance Programs (EAP). EAP providers are often very familiar with local resources; provide a limited number of free sessions, and provide referral services. If you are unsure if your department has an EAP, contact your Human Resources or Personnel Department and they should be able to provide an EAP phone number.
Hotlines
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800) 273-TALK (8255)
- SAMHSA National Helpline (800) 662-HELP (4357) (English and Español) (800) 487-4889
- Workplace Helpline (800) WORKPLACE (967-5752)
- www.workplace.samhsa.gov/helpline/helpline.htm
Educational Resources about Alcohol, Drugs and Mental Health Issues for Firefighters, First Responders and Fire Departments:
- International Association of fire chief’s position statement http://iafc.cms-plus.com/files/1ASSOC/IAFCposition_DrugAlcoholFreeAwareness.pdf Published on Sep 30, 2013. “The use of illegal drugs and the improper use of prescription and over-the-counter drugs have an enormous impact on not just firefighter safety, but the safety of all members of the community" - Matt Tobia, chair of the IAFC Safety, Health and Survival Section.
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- Alcohol and Drugs in the Fire Station - Dr. Richard B. Gasaway podcast http://www.firehouse.com/podcast/10459010/safety-week-2010-alcohol-and-drugs-in-the-fire-station
- Return to the Station. This well-produced film follows the roller coaster ride of a lifetime as a Florida firefighter on top of the world struggles and finally collapses: http://youtu.be/sktapIxuJbA
- The Party is Over; Emergency Vehicle Response: http://www.emergencyvehicleresponse.com/news/fullstory/newsid/123015
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse in U.S. – Evermore Grave.
- http://cpancf.com/articles_files/DrugAlchoholGraveConcerns.html
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- Keep the Kids Out of the Cookie Jar (Jul. 1, 2010) Bruce Evans, Fire Chief discusses paramedic access to controlled substances and methods for monitoring and preventing risk of abuse. http://firechief.com/biometrics/keep-kids-out-cookie-jar
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- Firefighter urges parents to be aware of child and adolescent risks of abusing medication: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxZMxsUXYUc
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- Signs of Prescription Drug Problems: http://1strespondertreatment.com/firefighter/
- Alcohol and Substance Abuse PPT Presentation (2008) Presentation to UF Occupational Therapy Department by Kay Hurlock, Ph.D., Clinical Psychology Associates of North Central Florida (Available on CPANCF.COM website)
- HHS, CDC. (2008). Stress management for emergency responders: What responders can do
- [Audio podcast]. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.html?f=10613 Examines sources of stress at each level and what individuals, team leaders, and agency management can do to manage the stress. It gives practical guidance on ways to reduce stress and lessen its negative impacts on staff and the mission."
- National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. (2006). Firefighters' mental health.http://media.cygnus.com/files/cygnus/article/FHC/2006/APR/dm0602_10500421.pdf [PDF - 50.6 KB] "The firefighter will demonstrate a general knowledge of the mental health issues affecting the fire service, indicators of potential concerns, and corrective action options."
- PTSD and Responders – the Silent Partner: https://www.atthereadymag.com/site/thesilentpartner
- White paper from National Fallen Firefighters Foundation: Issues of depression and suicide in the firefighter service: http://lifesafetyinitiatives.com/13/depressionsuicide_summary.pdf
- Suicide Prevention Resource Center. (2005, May 24). First responders: Emergency medical technicians and firefighters. http://ok.gov/odmhsas/documents/first_responders.pdf [PDF - 90.0 KB] This fact sheet provides resources for disaster responders including information on the role of for responders in preventing suicide, helping suicide attempters and survivors, and ways for disaster responders to help themselves and their fellow responders.
- Stress Management in Law Enforcement (Second Edition), by Leonard Territo and James D. Sewell (Carolina Academic Press, 2007)
- Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement by Kevin M. Gilmartin (E-S Presss, 2002)
- Law Enforcement Suicide Prevention Toolkit http://policesuicide.spcollege.edu/toolkitIHW.htm
- From LAPD: Rolling Backup: http://www.leotrainer.com/suicidelasdcomplete.pdf
- Online Flashplayer video training by LAPD Rolling Backup: http://policesuicide.spcollege.edu/crisisIHW.htm#Rolling
- Alcohol True Stories; Matt Damon
- Words Can Work: When Talking about Alcohol (used by Boston and NY F.D.)
More Articles in this Series
Part I: Firefighter and First Responder Alcohol and Drug Issues
Part II: Signs of alcohol or drug intoxication, impairment and after-effects
Part IV: Treatment principals and stages in treatment of alcohol and substance use disorders.
Ernest J. Bordini, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist more than 30 years of training and service in the evaluation and treatment of veterans, law enforcement officers and first responders. He is a member of the American Psychological Association Society of Military Psychology and a member of the City of Gainesville Violence Avoidance Task Force. In addition to his primary area of practice in clinical and forensic neuropsychology he has special interests in violence risk assessment, and officer-involved shootings. He has provided fitness for duty evaluations for government agencies, FDLE, corporations, medical facilities, school boards and other organizations. He has provided presentations, critical incident interventions, and team building to law enforcement and fire and rescue organizations. In his limited spare time he enjoys tactical and defensive firearm training and is an NRA certified Firearm Instructor.
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