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.
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
Gerald Mishoe-Lowcountry Firefighter Support Team
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
South Carolina
Firefighters' Association
111 Westpark Boulevard
P.O. Box 211725
Columbia, South Carolina 29210
Email: [email protected] Phone: 1.800.277.2732 Fax: 1.803.454.1801
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