In The News

Are You Mentally Fit? by Lee Hopkins

August 28, 2014

[caption id="attachment_6923" align="alignleft" width="150"] Lee Hopkins[/caption] In the fire service, we always stress training and being physically fit. How are we preparing our firefighters mentally? We stress saving our own. Well, it’s time that we stepped up to the plate. No one knows your brother like you do. Most of the time, you are with him or her every third day. Our job is dangerous and unforgiving at times. You need to recognize the signs of depression and anxiety. The problems can be over calls, promotions or family issues. Let me tell you a little about myself. I am 20 year veteran of the fire service; fifteen of those years being a full-time employee. I am currently serving as a lieutenant of my department. We only have one fire station with four personnel on shift. Don’t be fooled - we are proactive and busy. We ran approximately 1500 calls in 2013. During my career, I have done great things with this department. I have two saves from house fires and numerous saves on medical calls. I’m not telling you this to brag. I’m telling you this because two calls almost cost me my career. The first was an 18-month old baby that was run over in the roadway behind the fire station. Another firefighter and I were the first ones there. There was nothing that could be done to help the child at this point. I will never forget the screams of the mother as long as I live. The second was a four year old child that was accidentally shot in the chest by her brother. She was lying in the kitchen in a pool of blood when we arrived. I picked her up and ran to the ambulance that was pulling up on scene. I told her that I was going to help her, and she responded with “ok”. She passed away shortly after arriving at the hospital. That is where I started spinning out of control. This big, bad firefighter lied to this little girl, and now she is dead. For that next year, I don’t remember many good things. I remember staring off into space some days and feeling lost. The anxiety was so bad that I would feel like I was going to pass out when the tone dropped. I did a great job at hiding the anxiety from my brothers. I would laugh and cut up like nothing was wrong. My wife and doctor knew what was going on, but no one else knew. I didn’t tell anyone because of the fear of failure, and the fear of the loss of trust of my brothers. I was placed on medication and was still experiencing anxiety until I was introduced to the members of the S.C. Firefighters Assistance and Support Team (FAST). See, in my town, we have experienced several child deaths within the last 14 months. It has been hell on us, but the difference is that we have a Chief that cares. The FAST Team responded to a call in our town where four children lost their lives in a trailer fire. That is where I began to meet these people that all have fire service backgrounds. I began to understand that it was ok to talk, cry, and get your feelings out about things. This has not only saved my career, but possibly my life. I am now a member of the FAST Team and travel to different areas in the state to help other members of the fire service that are struggling with difficult times. Don’t get me wrong, I am still a work in progress. I talk to my support person with the FAST Team nearly every day to keep me on track. Brotherhood means personal sacrifice and is defined as the whole body of persons engaged in the same business. To me, the word “brotherhood” encompasses much meaning in the fire service. It can be as simple as a “How are you doing brother?" Never be afraid to talk. Your brothers and your family will listen. If they don’t, they are not a brother, and they need to find another profession. Be on alert for the signs, offer a shoulder to cry on and an ear to listen. Lee Hopkins is 20 year veteran of the fire service. He is currently a lieutenant with the City of Hartsville Fire Department. He is the former president of the Pee Dee Firefighters' Association and a current member of the South Carolina FAST Team.