Firefighters Assistance and Support Team - FAST

August 20, 2014

Do you recall the last time you saw your fellow first responder hurting? Many of us know how painful it is to watch and not know what to do, or how to help. Maybe you tried, you reached out to help and then wondered if you said the right things, wondered if you helped at all or perhaps made things even worse.

First, I applaud you for taking that step that so many of us shy away from. While to some it is comes naturally to take action, for others of us, taking that first step to reach out and help our own can be a little frightening. Maybe it is not someone we are especially close to, or possibly we are so very close, we hesitate to say anything in fear of pushing them away. Sometimes we hesitate or choose not to say anything because we don't have all the answers.

It may surprise you to hear that the S.C. Firefighter Assistance and Support Team does not have all of the answers either. Disappointing I know, to have all of the answers, especially in times of pain and trial is exactly what most of us want. The good news is that SCFAST does have something to offer through the support of your South Carolina State Firefighters Association.

• A group of peers throughout the state, ready and willing, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to be there for you and others
• Training available to teach you how to reach out and offer help
• Training to help you start a peer team in your department or area
• Access to a group of Department of Mental Health Clinicians trained to understand and help those of us in the fire service

If you need help or want to learn better how to Reach Out and Help Our Own please contact:

Patti Johns-SCSFA and Sumter County

[email protected] or 803-968-9336

Chief Greg Merritt-Clear Springs Fire-Rescue

[email protected]

Gerald Mishoe-Lowcountry Firefighter Support Team

[email protected]

We look forward to hearing from you soon.