What is 1stHelp?
Making a Difference
Who are we?
Friends, family members, and first responders with varying degrees of education and experience. Our common passion is providing first responders with support and understanding.
Why?
Because it needs to start somewhere, we have chosen to volunteer our time and effort in the hope that it will make the mental health of first responders a priority.
What is the information used for?
The personal information (names, email addresses, etc.) about suicide and traumatic-stress is confidential. Any personal information you enter about your traumatic-stress will not be shared with your family, department, or other agencies. It is solely for our information in case we need to clarify a detail or validate your information. We want to provide statistics that may save other lives, not provide a vehicle to condemn yours.
How can you help?
- Share this page with every first responder you know and everyone that loves a first responder.
- When a first responder dies by suicide, record it here.
- If you provide any type of assistance to first responders, register for inclusion in our database here.
- Join our mailing list here so we can provide updates and important information.
3 Priorities
All Fire Incident Responses function under 3 priorities – Life Safety, Incident Stabilization, Property Conservation in that order – those priorities also apply to your mental health.
Life Safety – immediate intervention in an emotional crisis is important, this helping hand can save a life.
Stabilization – mental health training and preparation before a crisis and, early intervention following traumatic exposure is important to stabilize the firefighter.
Conservation – defined as reservation or restoration from loss, damage, or neglect. What does that mean? Return them to duty as soon as you help restore them.
Watch your head and heart. Look at yourself in the mirror and be honest with your emotions. Ask for help when you need it. Believe that things will get better. We’re here to remind you that all is not lost and you can complete a firefighting career with your heart and mind intact.