Las Vegas Fire & Rescue To Observe Mental Health Awareness Month
Observance Centers On Firefighter, EMS & Dispatcher Suicides
Those who are first responders such as firefighters, emergency medical services personnel and emergency dispatchers are faced with one of the most strenuous and emotionally challenged occupations every hour of every day. Faced with life and death situations on a routine basis, it can evidentially add up emotionally and cause problems for some. Just like cancer, burns, or back injuries, mental health and suicides are real occupational risks for first responders. On average, approximately 135 suicides take place each year to first responders across the country.
Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance (FBHA) is a national organization that is trying to make a difference and also is committed to always remembering first responders in the fire, EMS and dispatch services who took their lives. It was founded in 2010 by Jeff Dill, who is currently the behavioral health administrator for Las Vegas Fire & Rescue.
May 20, 2022, at 9 p.m., in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, fire service, emergency medical service and public safety dispatch/9-1-1 organizations across the United States, Canada and the globe will remember all of the fallen first responders in fire, EMS and dispatch who died by suicide. Organizations will place a rig(s) on the driveway of their facility and turn on their emergency lights, or light a candle for one minute, to express support for all the members of those emergency organizations whose voices have gone silent and to also remember the families that have suffered a tragic loss. This is to show that we remember.
Las Vegas Fire & Rescue will remember one of their own that was lost to suicide this Friday at 9 p.m. at Fire Station 107 in Sun City Summerlin with a one-minute observance. The public is invited to attend. Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Behavioral Health Administrator Jeff Dill will lead the observance.
WHAT: "We Remember" Observance
WHEN: Friday, May 20, 2022 / 9 p.m.
WHERE: LVFR Fire Station 107 / Sun City Summerlin
9398 Sundial Drive
Jeff Dill holds a master's degree and is a licensed counselor. He is a retired captain from Palatine Rural Fire Protection District in Inverness, Illinois, and is a member of the American Counseling Association, National Board of Certified Counselors, International Associations of Fire Chiefs, and is an alumni member of the International Association of Fire Fighters. In July 2021, Jeff accepted his current position of behavioral health administrator with Las Vegas Fire & Rescue.
Jeff Dill, and those working with FBHA, are dedicated to educating firefighters and emergency service personnel on the importance of behavioral health and suicide awareness.
END ## LVFR/PEIO-TRS
|
