They care for victims of domestic violence and child abuse. Firefighters extricate mangled bodies from motorized vehicles following an accident and provide medical assistance to homeless patients on the streets of inner cities. At times, they must physically restrain patients who are combative due to mind-altering drugs. Likewise, they comfort parents and family members when a child or loved one has died. And all too often, they must cope with the grief following the death of a fellow firefighter in the line of duty.
Firefighters routinely struggle with the trauma of witnessing tragedy and death.
As a result of the Oklahoma City bombing, a large number of rescue workers are still experiencing stress and emotional trauma. Emotional problems, as well as problems with alcohol and drugs, are becoming increasingly evident. Many of these emergency service workers feel that their families and friends do not understand the magnitude of their duties nor the emotional strain they must endure on a daily basis. Most firefighters are very reluctant to discuss the death, carnage, and human suffering they witness on the job with their family and friends. Moreover, emergency service professionals struggle with thoughts of inadequacy as a spouse, parent, or social friend.