GREENWOOD TWP — First responders, both fire and EMR, see a lot of traumatic events. When the pager goes off, they don’t know what they may encounter. And while many calls are not serious, they often can be — accidents with serious injuries, fire leveling homes, and even deaths. Sometimes it is someone they know, a colleague, or even a family member.
Greenwood Fire Department members Kenna Villebrun and Brianna Lofquist saw how sometimes these emergencies had longer lasting impacts, and sometime the feelings and emotions were difficult to process. And while the department did have places that were considered safe to share these feelings, sometimes that wasn’t enough.
The two have created a program called Behind the Sirens, and they hope this effort will be replicated by other area departments. The premise is simple, a wallet-sized card with a QR code. If the code is scanned, it brings up a survey that include a well-being check-in, a supply check-in, and a place to log any operational concerns or feedback.
“Our biggest goal is for our members to know we are here and you are not alone,” Villebrun said.
The survey and feedback just go to assistant chief Lofquist, who then works with Villebrun to provide support, resources for mental health that are available 24/7, and other online contacts and phone numbers.
“I feel like this isn’t talked about enough,” she said, noting that there are resources out there for emergency responders, and this creates a simple way to access help if needed.
While the QR code and links are specific to the Greenwood department, this is a model that can be easily adapted for others, she said.
“We want to inspire other departments to have a plan in place to help their own members.”
This support is in addition to in-house discussions that often take place during monthly trainings after a difficult call.
But this effort brings support to a first responder whenever it is needed, not needing to wait for the next once-a-month training meeting.
“This way we have something in place when it happens,” Villebrun said. “Sometimes it is hard to speak up in a group setting.
Area departments lose members due to stress on the job. Villebrun and Lofquist hope this effort can help members address concerns as well as mental health challenges quickly, so they can be addressed, and hopefully keep department members healthy, both physically and mentally.
“Take care of yourself behind the sirens,” they said.
Lofquist said this same idea can be of use for other department needs, such as quickly informing leadership that equipment needs to be maintained or supplies reordered.
For more information about how to create a similar program, you can email fireadmin@greenwoodtownshipmn.com.