Kelowna fire department opens up about job-related PTSD

Gone are the days when firefighters would only put out fires.

Today, they respond to all kinds of urgent calls.

“We assist B.C. Ambulance with all kinds of medical calls, we have several specialty teams, we have a high-angle rope team, we do swift-water rescue, ice rescue, we have a hazmat (hazardous material) team, that helps the whole regional district with hazmat issues,” said Kelowna firefighter Ryan Corsi.

“We have a marine rescue boat for issues on the lake, so everything, motor vehicle accidents.”

Many of the calls are difficult, and, over time, can and do take a heavy toll on a firefighter’s mental health.

“We deal with a lot of the sadder types of calls, a lot of death, a lot of injuries, Corsi said. “Anything to do with children, it’s never a nice thing. Those are the ones … it’s usually a little quieter on the way back to the hall.”

Trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is said to be prevalent among first responders.

“A recent study that came out suggested that 40 per cent of firefighters are struggling with PTSD or some kind of a stress injury,” said Troy Mamchur, union president of local 953. “And I think that number would be higher if you actually calculated those that are coping in silence.”