Somebody Told Me

by Kevin P. McElynn

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Musculoskeletal Self Care

We need to manage our physical health

Outside of the Department Medicals, while they have been known to save people’s lives due to their findings- they are not likely to find any physical ailments that we may have.

Musculoskeletal injuries are quite common to first responders- mainly because we tend to ignore pain. If we do not take care of ourselves physically, we can end up unfit for the job we do and not even know it- potentially causing more harm to ourselves.

Some things we can do to protect ourselves

  • While we cannot stretch before doing the strenuous work that is so unpredictable in our world- making sure that we are stretching and exercising in our down time can help prevent injuries.
  • Make sure you are using your legs and arms when lifting, not your back.
  • Do not attempt to lift more than you can safely carry and without undue strain- Do not be afraid to ask for help- Contrary to most people belief we are not invincible or superheroes.

If you do have musculoskeletal pain - some treatment options

  • Acupuncture
  • Chiropractic adjustment
  • Orthopedic Care
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Therapeutic Massage
  • Anti-Inflammatory pain relievers

Do not ignore your pain - it hurts for a reason - ignoring it can only lead to the chance that your problem might become worse.

First Responders are prone to hearing loss due to exposure to loud noises from sirens, air horns, using chainsaws and other equipment to cut through metal, using power fans for smoke removal, shouting to communicate with civilians and other firefighters. Be mindful if you are experiencing trouble hearing. Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) is often accompanied by tinnitus (ringing noise in the ears) – don’t ignore it.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Don’t hesitate to reach out. It’s Okay to not be Okay!

An Estimated 1 in 5 adults experience a mental health disorder each year. Many of these conditions are treatable, but many suffer in silence because of stigma or shame.

If you or your crew need to talk, call the Firecom Supervisor at (516) 742-3191 and request the Critical Incident Stress Management Team.

Critical Incident Self Care

Best Practices for Protecting your Mind and Body Following a Serious Incident

Firefighters and EMS personnel often encounter traumatic incidents at a higher rate than the general public. Witnessing events like entrapments, house fires, or injuries to fellow reponders exposes them to chronic stress.

If you or your crew need to talk, call the Firecom Supervisor at (516) 742-3191 and request the Critical Incident Stress Management Team.

Share the Load™ Support Program for Fire and EMS

Most people are aware of the physical demands that first response activities place on firefighters and EMS providers. But it is important to also realize the impact that fighting fires and responding to emergencies has on the mental wellbeing of emergency personnel.

Firefighters and EMS providers face the risk of many behavioral health concerns such as anxiety, depression, burnout, post-traumatic stress disorder, and addiction among others.

Taking care of your mental health is as important as managing your physical health. The NVFC’s Share the Load™ program provides access to critical resources and information to help first responders and their families manage and overcome personal and work-related problems. This includes the Directory of Behavioral Health Professionals as a resource to find local assistance for behavioral health issues.

Note: If you need immediate support with a suicidal, mental health, and/or substance use crisis, call the NVFC First Responder Helpline or call 988 for the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (or go to the web site for chat). In addition, SAMHSA’s National Helpline is available at 1-800-662-HELP (4357), and the Crisis Text Line is available by texting HOME to 741741.

Firefigher Cancer Awareness Month

Firefighter occupational cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths in the fire service.

In partnership with the IAFF, January is designated as Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month to provide fire fighters the necessary tools and guidance to develop life-saving protocols for cancer prevention and to support those with a cancer diagnosis within their departments.

Click on the links below to learn more...

Time to Quit Smoking

The New Year is quickly approaching, and it is a time when many people who use commercial tobacco or vape products think about quitting.

Nicotine addiction is a chronic condition, and it often takes multiple quit attempts to succeed. Receiving support from their healthcare professionals can make a big difference. The NYS Smokers' Quitline offers healthcare professionals educational resources with tips and techniques for helping patients quit, like using a consistent and non-judgmental approach. In addition, healthcare professionals can access the Quitline's Patient Referral Program, where trained Tobacco Treatment Specialists contact referred patients who use tobacco or vape products and offer individualized coaching plus a free supply of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) medications.

Call 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487) or visit nysmokefree.com