The war is trying to deal with the harsh realities and brutal scenes/experiences/injuries/dangers they face in the Line of Duty on a daily basis.
Not all is bad in public safety,there are many wonderful experiences and life saves, but ugly realities do exist. It is seeing horrific tragedy sometimes on a daily basis while trying to keep emotions in check and function as the professionals they are, while carrying a mantle of the responsibility of the lives they are attempting to save and/or protect.
How many of us leave our homes knowing that by going to work we are placing our lives on the line? How many of us leave our homes knowing that the actions we perform on our job are expected to save or protect lives?
Do we realize that what public safety personnel face can sometimes hurt, and leave a pain that eats away at one's soul? Firefighters/EMS/Law Enforcement are living,breathing human beings with hearts and they feel emotions just like anyone else. Our eyes and minds are cameras without a delete button-what we see-is recorded and may re-appear at any time. Sometimes,the experiences will not stop appearing and become a haunting.
The fire/EMS/law enforcement brotherhood/sisterhood is a family, a family with a bond that transcends all considerations except that you are members of the same cause-Public Safety. So when something happens to one,it is felt by all. Retirement or even death cannot break this bond,it merely places it on a different level.
The fire service has suffered some devastating blows back to back recently and needs all the understanding, compassion and support that can be given them.
Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD) is an enemy,not a weakness, it is a condition caused by experiences, there is no blame or shame to those who suffer this condition, no one seeks it out-it just happens sometimes. Line of Duty deaths are shocking,hurtful and depressing, heartbreaking,though one knows the risk is there,they still hurt. With PTSD and LODD's a heavy toll sometimes falls on the fire service and law enforcement co-workers,families and community.
