Suicide in the Fire Service

The United States has now ranked suicide to be the 10th leading death cause. Studies have also shown that it is a complicated issue and remains a mystery to researchers, clinicians and those left behind. This is so because the victim in the incidence in most cases is gone and all left might be pain, loss, and grief. Although there is no formal mechanism of tracking firefighter suicides, a study surveyed in North Carolina line of duty deaths (LODDS) revealed that suicides happen at least two times as often as LODDs (Heitman, 2016). This piece of data is shocking because profession finds it difficult to track death by suicide and so this figure could be more. It was able to come up with a key finding stating that, “suicide is a serious outcome, an internal struggle of a person that manifests for a certain period before he or she reaches the decision of dying by suicide.

” As such, when one identifies these internal struggles and intervene, it may be possible preventing firefighters from involving in suicide (Heitman, 2016). This study intends to find out the cause, effect, problem, and solution to suicide in the fire service. The Cause and Effects of Suicide in Fire Service. Firefighters face same problems as other society members. Research has shown that unique schedules firefighters work is also a risk factor influencing suicide and this is because it negatively impacts on the period one can sleep, the value of sleep and mood (Metz, 2004). This had led concern because insomnia and sleep difficulty have been identified to be the factors of risk causing suicide and depression. The Problem of Suicide in Fire Service. According to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, firefighters are at a risk of dying by suicide than in the line of duty (Heitman, 2016).

The death of Jason Hamilton seemed to be like an awful accident. ” One fellow firefighter wrote online that, “You will be sincerely missed. ” News of the accident continued to spread online as other friends started to change their Facebook profile pictures in a way of honoring him. The Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association after the ruling of the medical examiner issued a statement of supporting both families saying those deaths a grim prevalence reminder of firefighter suicides and that it is a problem growing in Houston and around the United States. “It is not easy to determine whether firefighter suicides are rising”, this is according to Jeff Dill. Jeff Dill works in the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance based in Phoenix added that before they started to research in 2011, there was no one who kept data on firefighter suicides but now the former Chicago area firefighter now approach chiefs and fire captains all over the country to get information on suicides and line of duty deaths (Metz, 2004).

Firefighters should ensure that adequate support systems are increased to combat the risk factors hence reducing suicidal behaviors. According to Metz (2004), this can be through establishing a social support, positive coping skills, and sense of support, occupational post-trauma support and de-stigmatizing help-seeking behaviors. Conclusion Irrespective of the exact numbers of suicide from firefighting, it is clear that firefighters are experiencing significant problems while in their duties. And so if the above solutions are implemented in their departments, I believe that they will be able to bring up a difference and many suicidal incidences will likely to reduce and a great future will be seen. References Heitman, S.