PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — After the trauma of fires like the one that took the lives of 12 people inside a duplex in Philadelphia's Fairmount neighborhood, emergency responders have endured their own emotional toll.
"It’s a sad day in Philadelphia. I’m not doing well. I mean personally," said Philadelphia Fire Department Capt. Derek Bomer as he fought back tears over the most deadly fire in more than 100 years in Philadelphia.
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At the time, he was explaining why the department raised a yellow tarp to obscure the view as emergency crews removed the dead after the fire on North 23rd Street.
"I have a job to do, but we are human beings, just like everyone else," Bomer added.
He said police, fire, and all those who worked to save lives on-site are deeply affected by the tragedy, particularly as the weight of their responsibilities is heavy.
"Of my 18 years, this is the worst fire we've responded to," he said.
"It really takes a toll on us as firefighters, and part of my job is to make sure that all the firefighters, medics are taken care of after this is over."
He said when the smoke clears, firefighters, police officers and medics alike grapple with all they’ve done and all they perceive as not done, first and foremost saving lives.
"When we can't do that, it really takes a toll on us."
Bomer said that help for first responders begins with opening up conversations through a well-established employee assistance program, as well as a partnership with the Red Cross and the Salvation Army.
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He said sometimes, everyone needs a little support, particularly because to emergency responders, one loss is too many.
"We want everyone to go home. We want everyone to be saved," said Bomer.
"Property can go, but human life can’t."
CORRECTION: In a previous version of this article, Philadelphia Fire Capt. Derek Bomer's name was misspelled. This article has been edited to reflect the correction.