English Mountain Volunteer Fire Department

05/04/2022

We do not often get reminders as to why we, as first responders, choose to do what we do. With all the hardships we face and the times we wish we had walked away, there are those small moments that show up unexpected reminding us why we are here.

The members or the English Mountain Volunteer Fire Department would like to express their appreciation to the Sevierville and Seymour Boys & Girls Club and the family of 18 from Michigan.

It is because of people like you that we do what we do. The time and effort you put into what may have been a moment or more to show our department your appreciation encourages us to continue doing what we do.

Thank you from all of us.

04/13/2022

Wednesday Awareness:

First responders and sleep-
In the U.S. alone, there are over 2 million first responders at risk of sleep deprivation and impaired alertness(which can lead to Circadian Misalignment).
-1.16+ million firefighters
-900,000+ law enforcement officers
-248,000+ emergency medical workers

Being first responders, we are at risk for many medical or life threatening situations. Going into an emergency, the lists of risks are endless. We go in knowing the risk of the chemicals we breathe... knowing the threat to our life if anything were to go wrong. We know, even in the best situations, something could go terribly wrong. We, especially, expect to be tired. Whether you work shifts at a facility or you come off a day job to be on call at all hours, you spend your awake hours working, moving, lifting, dragging, stressing, and using the energy you have to get through. Often, very little sleep is had. What goes overlooked the most is the full extent of the dangers of sleep deprivation.

Every call received is a risk of the unknown. A small brush fire could be a structure fully engulfed or moving rapidly. A public disturbance could turn into a chase of an assailant. A heart attack could be met with threat of a gun. A simple-nothing-much-happening call can quickly become a statewide emergency in no time. The fatigue and mental wear faced during such calls can start to slow the bodies natural ability to repair and grow.

Studies have shown that a single night lost of sleep can greatly effect the body. Testosterone lowers greatly, blood sugar rises, and neurological functions take a hit. The immune system can take a hit as well, leading to a higher risk for illnesses such as heart disease and cancer. It has been shown that sleep deprivation can mimic a traumatic brain injury, leading to a greater risk of depression and su***de.

Say yes to naps for first responders!

04/13/2022

THE SEVIER COUNTY FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION SMOKY MOUNTAIN WEEKEND ANNUAL TRAINING CONFERENCE 2022

04/08/2022

04/06/2022

Wednesday Awareness:

PMA - Positive Mental Attitude
In order to move toward or maintain good mental health, one should strive for a positive mental attitude.
PMA is the philosophy of finding greater joy in smaller things... the philosophy that which asserts that having an optimistic disposition in every situation in one's life attracts positive changes and increases achievement. Adherents employ a state of mind that continues to seek, find, and execute ways to win or find a desirable outcome, regardless of the circumstances.

I considered just copy and pasting some short article about mental health awareness in the fire service, but it didn't feel right. It's a more personal issue than numbers and graphs. It's, also, more than just fire fighters that suffer through these situations. First responders all over face hard situations that they have to push themselves through. Situations where one slip of their tough or fearless exterior leads to discrimination and ridicule. People from all walks of life face an assault on their mental health. We are all human.

Behavioral Health Concerns in Emergency services and Law Enforcement:
-Anxiety -Post Traumatic Stress
-Depression -Addiction
-Burnout -And more...

"They are programmed different. They can face anything without fear or anxiety. They aren't affected by their calls. They don't see people on calls, they see numbers and a job to be done."

No matter how it is said, these thoughts could not be more wrong.

We see alot of people and alot of faces, but that doesn't mean we miss the importance of each and every one of them. We don't do our jobs for money or glory. We help because we are needed. When we lose anyone or anything on a call, we feel it.

We do feel the pain and failure.

But, the thing is... our job is to not let anyone see it. We are expected to be strong and brave. We are expected to be unaffected. Because when people see us start to crack under the stress or pressure of everything, then they start losing hope. Our job is to give you a positive mental outlook no matter what outcome we see.

In reality, many of us bury these feelings and negative thoughts. We walk away from calls with more and more pressure building, with no release valve set up.

This results in mental health issues going unaddressed and untreated.

The truth is... it doesn't make us weak for asking for help. It doesn't make us weak for feeling the pain or overwhelmed. We are human and we are allowed to show that side of ourselves.

No one is alone. We can fight this together. We can start by trying. Challenge yourself and those around you to have a positive mental attitude(PMA).

There is not just one way to learn, but we can learn together.

NVFC.org has many mental health awareness resources for the fire service.