Bad night

[catman]

Thought I could come home and "loose" the night on here, maybe if I share a little it will help.


Just returned from a bad auto verses semi accident, 10-50 with entrapment in Wisconsin emergency talk. A Mom and two kids in the car, had all extricated within 30 minutes but lost the Mom and three year old. i worked on the baby all the way to the hospital, just could not help him.

[Keith_Hixson]

We who have done emergency services no where you are coming from.
Having work as a civilian medic for 7 1/2 years I had a few "bad nights" . Find someone to talk it over and over again. We don't want you to have PTSD that many civilian medics also suffer from.


My prayers go with you.


Keith

[catman]

Keith...thanks for your thoughts. Am doing better now, talked to the Department Chaplin for a while, we are going to see the family tomorrow, that always seems to help me.

Trav

[Keith_Hixson]

I was the Sheriff's Dept. Chaplain as well as a medic, All at the same time. I was in charge of debriefing for our department after a "bad" night. Go visit any survivors in the Hospital if you have the chance. When they say thank you it always helped me. But talking it out with a good listener - a good chaplain. I remember after about seven years I had enough. I just didn't want anymore "bad" nights. When the alarm would go off I'd cringe going on a call, you just see tooooo much suffering. I understand emergency room nurses and doctors go through the same thing.

It's the little kids that got to me.

But talking really helps, don't shut it in.

Keith

[catman]

Keith...I have learned to talk. If there is any profession more "macho" than the military I would bet it is the emergency services/first responders. I have been a firefighter for seven years now, have seen more than my fare share long before ever getting on the fire department. About six years ago I "crashed" spent six weeks at the VA in Minneapolis as an inpatient with PTSD. Have done a follow up with a two week course a couple of years ago. It helps to talk, it also helps to visit the families.

I have a book about first responders I would like to send to you, it is call "Meeting my neighbors on siren at a time". It was written by a guy that lives about 50 miles from me. He is a firefighter/EMT. Some of his writings hit so close to home. Just PM me your address, I think it should be required reading for all rural department members.

Thanks Keith, appreciate the concern.

Trav

[ArtySgt]

Catman, I wish you peace in your heart and mind. Your a good man to care so don't let it drag you down. There are other people who are going to need your help in the future.

[MORTARDUDE]

Trav :

You can call me anytime if you want to talk. May God Bless !!

Larry

[catman]

Thanks guys, it's all good now. Spent some time with the family of the victims today and they seem to be coping well. Thanks for the prayers and concerns.

Trav