FIRE WIRE
Articles by Battalion Chief Jeff Dill
CSFF's Work Reaches Across the US
PHOENIX - UNITED STATES FIRE ADMINISTRATION REACTS TO ABC15 STORY by Lori Jane GlihaClick link below to read article and see video.
http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/local_news/investigations/firefighter-suicides-in-phoenix-bring-national-changes
FIREHOUSE.COM presents:
Safety Week 2010: Stress Management for First Responders
Battalion Chief Jeff Dill, founder of Counseling Services for Fire Fighters, LLC, shares the need for stress management programs within all departments. He looks at the acronym EER for educate, exercise and reduce stress as the basis for creating a healthier work environment for young and veteran responders. Listen as he describes common symptoms that we should all be aware of and easy methods to reduce stress levels.
Click here for podcast: 
Radio@Firehouse.comPodcasts and Internet Broadcasts for Fire and Emergency Service Professionals: Real Issues. Real Answers. Real Firefighters.
August 2010 Article:
Communications/Relationships: The Art of Speaking and Listening
As firefighters one of the most import aspects of any major incidences are the “critiques” performed by the department after they had an incident. I am positive that if you have been in the fire service for some time, you know how the procedure goes. The incident commander speaks about what went right, what errors there were and what improvements could be built upon. The next person, usually the first in officer speaks, and so on, until everyone who played a role has had a chance to tell what his or her views were of the incident.
With a high degree of accuracy, I believe one of the most critiqued parts of any incident, is the discussion of communications. It is human nature to experience difficulties in communicating with each other, either on a major incident or one on one. The art of speaking and listening and the ability to “hear”, takes practice and willpower. Practice comes from conversations with family, friends or coworkers. The willpower comes from within yourself in the form of paying attention and not “tuning out” as the person is speaking to you.
It is common knowledge that the fire service suffers from one of the highest divorce rates of any career. Many facets play a role for these divorces, such as shift schedule, hours away from home, the danger factor and at times our lack of expressing our emotions as firefighters can get in the way. I believe one of the greatest reasons is the lack of communications between spouses, partners, and the firefighters children. So how do we, as firefighters, take control of this situation? You hold your own family critique!
Many times during arguments with a loved one we say some awful things to try and hurt the other person. In arguments one may be constantly trying to “one up” the other one. In reality there are no winners and it becomes a lose-lose situation. If you feel like you are being verbally attacked, express yourself in a certain manner that does not reflect aggression. If your spouse or partner is shouting at you don’t try to out yell them. Try this as an example; “I understand you are upset, so can we discuss our point of views and see if we can solve this issue”. This will go a lot further towards retaining your relationships, plus building on them than screaming to get each other’s points across.
In the aftermath of an argument is the best time to hold a critique. What was said, how did it hurt you, what did we learn, and what can we avoid in the future are all things that can result from holding this conversation. The extra bonus of this lesson, is the example you give to your children or others around you about the art of conversation. Remember, we don’t always have to agree about things but we should be able to agree that open communications solves more issues then arguing.
Jeffrey Dill
-Founder
February 2010 Article:
Firefighters Suicide Report (FFSR)
Counseling Services for Fire Fighters, LLC (CSFF) was created with many goals and objectives to help improve the awareness of behavioral health within the fire service across the United States. We have developed workshops to assist fire officers in observing and communicating with employees who may be dealing with behavioral health needs. CSFF, in conjunction with Advantage EAP, is also in the process of developing workshops to aid clinicians on understanding the life style of firefighters, which will enhance firefighters to seek professional help when needed. We are currently developing workshops for spouses, children and other family members of a firefighter. These workshops will enable a family to develop a stronger sense of communications and understanding within the family structure.
Depression, anxiety disorders, post traumatic stress disorder and addictions are just a few of the behavioral issues that firefighters currently struggle with today. Yet, there is one disturbing behavioral health issue that needs immediate attention and that is the increase of firefighter suicides. Whether the numbers have always been there and we, as the fire service, have always looked the other way, or perhaps there has never been an official designation for this data I do not know. I do however know that CSFF is attempting to create a National Data system to which fire chiefs can report these unfortunate situations.
Firefighters Suicide Report (FFSR) will be an anonymous report to CSFF from a reporting fire department. The form is courtesy of Robert E. Douglas, Jr. of the National P.O.L.I.C.E. Suicide Foundation. He has graciously given me permission to use his format for the development of FFSR. If the reporting fire department wants to be contacted by CSFF to discuss the particular incident then there will be an option for them check. If given permission by that department then the information would be used in the CSFF workshops to enhance the knowledge of the fire service. One important attribute would be assisting fire officers and firefighters on how to better-read signs and symptoms of their employees within their own department.
The name of both the deceased and fire department will NEVER be used unless CSFF receives written permission from both the fire department and the families of the decedent.
The FFSR will be used for tracking purposes as well. It is the intent of CSFF to provide information as to the number of firefighter suicides as well as by the states in which they occur.
I firmly believe that being a firefighter, whether career, paid on call, or volunteer, it is truly the greatest job on earth. CSFF is dedicated to ensure that every man and woman who gives help to those in need will also receive the same treatment of compassion when they are faced with their own behavioral health problems.
If you would like additional information regarding this initiative, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Regards,
Jeff Dill
January 2010 Article:
CSFF- 2010 New Year’s Resolution
By now the champagne has long been toasted and friends have all gone home which leads to excitement and anticipation as we look for better times in 2010; both in our professional and personal lives. Without exception, Counseling Services for Fire Fighters (CSFF) is also excited about 2010, especially about meeting firefighters across this great nation in the upcoming year.
We, at CSFF, resolve to make 2010 a year of awareness for the men and women who dedicate their hearts and souls to provide protection and comfort for the people of our communities. The awareness I speak of is to recognize each of their own emotional and behavioral health needs. These firefighters don’t hesitate for a second to enter into burning buildings to save lives and property. They also show compassion and empathy for the ill or injured in medical emergencies or vehicle accidents. They act with professionalism in times of other’s emergency needs.
Throughout my counseling internship and even in my personal life, I ask people who are struggling with some type of crisis in their lives this one question, “What do you stand for?” It is a question which in its basic form means, what do you believe in, and how do you want to get there. So here is what CSFF stands for.
CSFF stands for teaching my fellow brothers and sisters that it is okay to ask and seek help when struggling emotionally in your life. It is okay to seek professional help when our behavioral actions indicate something is bothering us. CSFF stands for providing education to our officers and firefighters on how to listen, talk, and recommend guidance for their fellow firefighters. CSFF stands for educating the professional clinicians to understand the role of firefighters and how the emotions of these dedicated firefighters evolve from the career they have chosen. CSFF stands for promoting behavioral health education in our fire academies. We teach these young men and women how to fight fires, climb ladders, water supply, EMS and other fire related training. It is CSFF’s goal to get behavioral awareness into the curriculum of our fire academies.
As I become more involved each day I am made aware of one other issue that bothers me greatly. That is the suicides of my fellow firefighters. It is a tragic act that leaves family and friends deeply saddened and wondering how it came to this. I have spoken to many fire chiefs and firefighters who so graciously spoke to me regarding members who took their own lives. I hear their stories and feel their pain and losses of every firefighter who died at their own hands. I also know of so many others firefighters who suffer from depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, addictions, financial problems and many other issues that need to be addressed by professional counseling, so please ask for help, not only for yourself but do it for your family and friends.
CSFF is wishing everyone a healthy and prosperous 2010.
December 2009 Article:
As I write this article the holidays are upon us. According to an Andy Williams Christmas song, “This is the most wonderful time of the year”. Yet, for some firefighters out there it can be frustrating, scary and sometimes a very depressive time.
For these brothers and sisters of ours it can turn into a tragic season. Just within the past week I have heard and/or read of three of our brothers who took their own lives. All that remains are the families and friends who are grieving and wondering why? Or, what could we have done to help?
One of the main causes of suicides is depression, which does not show any discrimination. It doesn’t care about job titles, religion, race, age or even gender. It weaves a web of destruction that causes chaos in the lives of those who are suffering from depression. Time and space restrict me from going deeper into explaining the many sides of depression.
Here are signs and symptoms of depression according to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV (DSM-IV). They are weight loss, insomnia, restlessness or slowing down, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, confusion and recurring thoughts of death.
If you see a fellow firefighter (or anyone) with these signs or symptoms please have them seek out professional help. We are always protecting each other while on fire- ground. My hope is that we can protect each other at all times.
If you have feed back, please do not hesitate to contact me at jeff@csff.info
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