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The Houston Fire Department recently produced a documentary video on PTSD among Houston firefighters. The video, entitled "Operation Lifeline", is an extension of our ongoing efforts to prevent suicides in the Department and to reduce the effects of PTSD on our personnel. The video features members of the Department who have experienced traumatic events as the result of their work or due to combat experiences in the military. The video also showcases medical and psychological professionals within the Department who describe both the symptoms and causes of PTSD as well as how it can be successfully treated.
The United States Fire Service recognizes that PTSD and suicidal behaviors are two of the greatest problems that firefighters face. According to recent research each year more American firefighters die by their own hand than in the line-of-duty. In our Department, eight active firefighters have taken their lives since 2005. Major suicide prevention initiatives were conducted by HFD in 2008 and again in 2015. These included video presentations on how to recognize suicidal behavior among your peers and how to access mental health resources in the
Department.
Published research based on surveys of our personnel show that PTSD and depression are the two issues that are the most related to suicidal ideation among our members. Our research shows that about 13% of our firefighters meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. This is similar to the rate of PTSD found among combat veterans. The Houston Fire Department is a national leader in addressing behavioral health problems among firefighters. In addition to the city's Employee Assistance Program counselors, we are one of only a couple of fire departments in the nation that employs full-time psychologists to assist our personnel. We currently have two staff psychologists, both of whom have extensive experience in treating PTSD, depression, and suicidal behavior. We are also the only fire department that trains mental health professionals in how to work with firefighters. Currently, we have 7 doctoral students in psychology from the University of Houston who work under the supervision of our psychologists and learn how to assist First Responders. In addition, the Department has more than 25 firefighters who serve as peer counselors to firefighters who have experienced traumatic events such as infant deaths or multiple fatalities.
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