The Calls, The Heroes, The Oath

First responders respond to the unthinkable. They roll up to scenes of non-breathing infants or an active shooter situation. They arrive at medical emergencies where humans are holding onto their last moments of their lives. First responders are the first to notify families that their loved ones have passed away. They do the hardest jobs, the jobs no one would want to, all to uphold their oath they have taken to not only the department they serve, but also to the citizens they protect.

They have given an oath to protect the things that let us have freedom. Officers put the criminals who are a danger to us away, firefighters put out the fires in order to save the roofs that cover our heads, and paramedics do everything they can to save someone who is having a medical emergency. The oath they take is to protect innocent people from the dangers that occur. They weren’t asked to do this- they choose to do it.

So why should we let our officers, firefighters, or paramedics bottle up their emotions on calls that seem impossible to forget? In reality, it’s hard to forget a call that impacts a first responder in an emotional way. It’s even harder when these responders live and work in the same city that they raise a family in. The toughest thing is knowing that they come home, try to relax, and try to forget about the rough calls.

The real issue is if they can open up to their significant others. Do they have a buddy from the department they can open up too? Perhaps they choose to shield their loved ones and buddies from the horrors that they face. There is also the factor of reliving the call, knowing what happens and not being able to change the outcome. How can we change this? How can we get first responders the help they need without taking their title of hero away?

It all starts with a group of people who are willing to sit and listen to them talk about the things they lock away. The responders get to open up their minds-and hearts- to the things that have emotionally torn them apart. Even though talking about these things might seem difficult at the beginning, it’s better to let the feelings out in the open air around others who understand the hardships of the job.

By starting support groups within departments, it gives first responders of all fields a group of people who understand and want to lend a helping hand. Mental health has become a major aspect of the world today, so why shouldn’t we give the same resources to the police and fire departments?

It is important for our first responders to get the help they need. By doing so, responders don’t have to worry about the consistent memories or thoughts of calls that they have had in the past. Overcoming these thoughts and letting these heroes understand that they did all they could, used all the training they learned, to give the best care possible for the citizens they took an oath to protect would give them a sense of peace.

However, this also has another view to it. Along with the calls of service, responders also have to hold the pain of losing one of their own. It is a somber day when they have to put someone who gave their life to rest. This can take a toll on those who were close with or worked closely with the responder who has passed. This can also become a memory that stays in their minds for a long time. Without opening up to someone, they could take the grief out on themselves by not taking care of themselves the proper way. If a responder is not stable, then future duties will be in jeopardy.

There are many factors that can lead to the stress and mental states of responders. These factors are different for everyone. Not all responders are going to have the same call with the same details. Each call is different and impacts these responders differently. This is why the unthinkable calls are the ones that leave everlasting memories. Many officers, firefighters, and paramedics will be able to tell you their unthinkable stories like they happened yesterday. They will tell you how the weather was and the emotions of the victims and their families. They will tell you the smallest of details that they wouldn’t obtain in other stories. The smells, sights, nosies, and voices will be seen and heard for days to come. Sometimes these days turn into weeks, and those weeks turn into months, which then become years. Anyway, the point is that these calls should not penalize a responder’s mental health. It is always an unfortunate event when officers pull up on a scene. It always changes them when they leave. It is a harsh reality when all they wanted to do was uphold the oath they took.

The oath comes in many different versions, but they all represent things that are close to each and everyone who speaks it- honor, integrity, courage. These three words represent the character it takes to become a first responder. It shows the type of person they are, or want to become. They show up to work with their badge on and their mind set for another day. They believe in the simplest of things, which can turn into the honor, integrity, and courage that each first responder displays. They smile and wave at the little kids who dream of becoming a police officer, firefighter, or paramedic. They talk to the teenagers who think they are interested in the field. They train the new generation of responders.

Without these brave men and women who make an impact on our communities day in and day out, the crimes, fires, and medical emergencies would have a terrible impact on communities and the people who are in them. First responders may face adversity and challenges, but that never made them shy away from the job itself. They never think twice about what could happen, and if they do they never show it. So let’s take a minute and advocate for these men and women, and start focusing on the benefits of support groups in every aspect of the field. These responders deserve to hold the title of hero no matter what call they are assigned or what the outcome is. They took an oath to uphold the constitution, so let’s take an oath as a community to uphold these first responders.