Burnout, trauma, and high stress are significant factors threatening the mental health of firefighters, and Florida lawmakers have unanimously passed a bill designed to combat the growing number of suicides among firefighters.
According to the Ruderman White Paper on Mental Health and Suicide of First Responders, the suicide rate for firefighters is 18 per 100,000, compared to 13 per 100,000 for the general public.
Duval and St. Johns counties have both lost multiple firefighters to suicide.
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St. John County Professional Firefighters president David Stevens and Kelly Dobson, president of the Jacksonville Association of Firefighters, both said mental health has always been an issue in the profession, but with the number of deaths by suicide increasing drastically, it caught the attention of Florida lawmakers.
“We don’t know how each individual will be when they get hired and how they will be affected by… let’s call it what it is: No human being is supposed to see what a firefighter sees,“ said Dobson, who has more than two decades of service. ”That’s just not human to us, and police are just the same. We see some tragic situations."
Florida Rep. Erika Booth (R-Osceola) introduced House Bill 929, which is designed to enhance the safety, health, and well-being of firefighters across the state.
Among the changes, the bill aims to replace toxic chemicals in firefighters’ gear and recommends that the workweek not exceed 42 hours a week.
Some firefighters in St. Johns are working about 80 hours a week, and they said that makes it hard for them to recover and have a clear mind.
“Almost one-third of our department is utilizing the mental health services that our department provides, one-third of our firefighters in some form or fashion have said, ‘I need someone to talk to,’” Stevens said. “There is a problem in the fire service, and I think this bill is going to help solve it.”
Rep. Danny Alvarez (R-Hillsborough) expressed strong support for the bill before it passed.
“This bill asks the question, ‘Why are our bravest taking their own lives?’ Doesn’t that beg the question in your brain?” Alvarez said. “The guy or gal that says, ‘I’m going in when people are shooting’ or the guy and gal that says, ‘Oh, the building is burning, let me go’ — those are the people taking their own lives.”
One of the key components of the bill is the requirement for fire departments to report firefighter suicides.
Booth explained that this provision will improve tracking and prevention efforts statewide, allowing for a more accurate understanding of the mental health challenges affecting firefighters.
This is like when departments report cancer or PTSD cases, as well as on-the-job injuries.
While he is uncertain about the future impact of the bill, Dobson believes that if it stops even one suicide, it is worth it.
“It’s still going to be a stressful job; everyone knows that,” he said. “But if there is something available that we aren’t doing, we want to make sure we are making the best practices.”
The bill is now headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis for his signature.
Resources
If you or anyone you know needs help, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
Here is a list of mental health resources available in Florida.
- UF Health St. Johns Behavioral Health Resource Center - open 24/7 with clinicians on staff and available to assist during a crisis. No appointment is needed.
- EPIC Behavioral Health Rapid Response Team – 24/7 service for individuals 26+, dial 988, and a response will occur within 60 minutes of the request.
- EPIC Access Support Center – Walk-in services for mental health at their North Campus, Northwest Campus, and Flagler Campus. If this service is needed, walk-in during hours or call (904) 495-7001.
- Mobile Response Team – 24/7 service for individuals 5-25 years old. Dial 988 or 911 and a response will occur within 60 minutes of the request.
- Vinson Foundation - A support group for St. Johns, Jacksonville, Fernandina Beach, and Orange Park, for families who lost someone to suicide.
- St. Augustine Youth Services: 904-829-1770
- Call 211 - Local experts are available 24/7 to help. Calls to 211 are confidential and can be anonymous.
- Hope for Healing Florida - Hope for Healing navigates the many ways Floridians can access help for mental health and substance abuse
These resources can be accessed nationwide:
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline - Call or text 988 for help. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free, and confidential support for people in distress, prevention, and crisis resources for you or someone you know.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides resources for issues with mental health, drugs, or alcohol.
- Veterans Crisis Line - Text 838255 or call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1
- Crisis Text Line - Text “Home” to 741741
- Teen Line - Text “Teen” to 839863
