First responders deal with mental health struggles just like the rest of us, but these struggles can sometimes fly under the radar.
This weekend, the Livermore-Pleasanton Firefighters Foundation is hosting a walk to open the conversation on suicide and mental health.
Steve Jones, former deputy chief of the Alameda City Fire Department, and Barney Smith, son of Alameda firefighter Ed Smith who took his life a few years ago, worked together to organize the event in honor of Ed and to raise awareness for first responders' mental health.
"Since 9/11 and all the suicides that happened after that, families and other firefighters and throughout out country, we've realized it's something we need to bring to the forefront," Jones told KCBS Radio
The First Responders Mental Health Awareness 50K Walk is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on January 8th, at Fire House Station 6 in Livermore. The walk will extend over two days, going from Livermore to Castro Valley to the Alameda Fire House with a rest overnight.
Throughout his career, Jones said he's known five firefighters at the Alameda City Fire Department who have taken their lives. "The Alameda Fire Department is 100 sworn uniform members, so that's one in 20, and I don't think Alameda City is any different than any other department across our nation," he said.
He reminded that the term "first responders" includes dispatchers, which he said are often overlooked, but experience suicide and PTSD at the same rate as police, fire and EMS.
Anyone who would like to participate must first register at the event website. All proceeds from the walk will be donated to the Livermore Pleasanton Firefighters Foundation.
Related
