Texas LODD Task Force

I was watching the super bowl and as always, enjoying the ads. I appreciate the spirit behind Verizon’s salute to our first responders. There is, however, an untold story that needs to fully surface and the reasons why the story stays buried need to be explored. Research has increasingly shown off the charts rates of PTSD, Depression, Addiction (most notably alcohol and opiates) and suicide amongst EMTs, firefighters, police, ER staff, and military personnel. The simple truth

First responders (fire fighters, police, EMTs, ER staff and others) are recognized as being at significant risk for developing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Our risks are increased not only by the potential for experiencing traumatic events but are also due to the extremely stressful and draining nature of our work. Career and personal burnout are often the precursors to these conditions but seem to be viewed as inevitable. We’re held to higher standards than the general pu