Trauma Scene attitudes

[Firehog5]

I'm curious as to how people reacted on their first trauma scenes and how they do later in their career. Early on were they really difficult for you? If so did you build some sort of tolerance, or did you just learn to cope with it? I can't imagine you become immune to any sort of emotional impact that the scenes might have on you, but how have you put those emotions behind you in order to get the job done?

[MemphisE34a]

I can't imagine you become immune to any sort of emotional impact that the scenes might have on you, but how have you put those emotions behind you in order to get the job done?

Just because you can't imagine it doesn't mean that it doesn't happen. It does and it will to you as well.

There are no emotions to put behind you once your are desensitized to people's problems, whatever they are - trauma, medical, social, etc.

We are men. We do our jobs without crying like a bunch of sniveling little girls. Then we go and do it again, and again doing the best you can along the way, unconcerned about the situations that you had no control over and could not alter.

[islandfire03]

Pretty much have to put on your big boy pants and get the job done.

Over the years, have come across a few that just cannot deal with the blood or emotions of the sick & injured.

They end up walking away or become the chiefs shower boy.

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

I've had a few in my career, and some involving close friends and family members. You learn to shut of the personal side and put the professional side into overdrive to compensate.

We have an employee assistance plan with a shrink on call for critical incident stress debriefing.

[EastKyFF]

Gonzo puts it well. Set the emotions aside while you are needed, and once you can safely dod so at no risk to the patient, you deal with the trauma to you.

I think of it like a snooze button on your emotions.

[JTFIRE80]

Once you realize that you had nothing to do with "why" it happened to whomever, then it's just another call. That said, anything with kids sucks!

[TenEight]

I was 16 and a JFF when I went on my first F. I stood there in shock and awe at the scene that was playing out before my eyes. It's the only time in my life I can remember thinking to myself "Damn, I need a cigarette."

10 years later I've seen many F's, it's just become one of those things. Gonzo is right on with what he said... you have to focus on the job you're doing and then take time for yourself after the call. Dealing with kids is the worst thing and I hear it's even worse when you are a father yourself.

Our Dept has a Chaplain that we can talk to but we also encourage our members to talk to each other. A bad scene can affect even the most hardened FF and there is strength and support in numbers.

[Keenque]

One of my first EMS calls was 3 teens dying in a car accident. Thankfully I've not had to deal with the death of a young child.

For particularly bad situations, we have a debriefing after the call. Better to get things out there rather than bottle them up.

[CaptOldTimer]

As the Loo from Memphis and others have said, you have to control yourself. If you can't you are in the wrong job.



BTW 10-8 whats with the F's??? Your school grades?

Can't you bring your self to spell or say Fire?

[Keenque]

BTW 10-8 whats with the F's??? Your school grades?

Can't you bring your self to spell or say Fire?

Doesn't he mean Fatality?

[tree68]

Doesn't he mean Fatality?

That's what I thought.

Everybody has "their" call. Some muddle through and get on with life, for some it's a career ending event (especially among volunteers).

Pretty much everybody hates kid calls.

All too often I look at the circumstances and decide that it was the victim's own fault - they were drunk, weren't paying attention and blew through a light or stop sign, stuff like that.

And, as someone already pointed out, what happened wasn't my fault - it's just my job to sort it out and try to make for the best outcome possible.

That said, it never hurts to unload on a willing listener. Discussing the call over the kitchen table, with a chaplain, or in an organized debrief helps you defuse. Many who attend a debrief (or even an informal chat) come away realizing that they aren't the only one that has the same feelings (a belief many carry into the debrief).

[CaptOldTimer]

Doesn't he mean Fatality?

Ouch, you am right pal. My mistake.

[truckedup133]

Yea, the kid ones are the hardest.

[Harris543]

my first major incident was 13 ejected, 8 dead, 5 critical, 5 medivac's in the neighboring department. How did we deal with it? We got over it we had a job to do.

[Firehog5]

thanks for the answers. I noticed most of you had an answer similar to, "put it behind you you have a job" I completely understand that, but once your "professional overdrive" as someone put it shuts off, how do you deal with it? not necessarily feeling guilty for what happened, but i guess just seeing those things i would think would have an impact on the psyche in some way... no?