Oregon firefighter deaths prompt focus on safety, mental health
21 August 2022
Published by: https://katu.com
USA – The recent deaths of two wildland firefighters are prompting a conversation about safety and the toll firefighting takes on mental health.
Oregon Department of Forestry officials say 25-year-old Logan Taylor of Talent, was hit by a tree while working the Rum Creek Fire near Medford. Just last week, 27-year-old Collin Hagan died while fighting another fire in Douglas County.
Officials say they are sending reinforcements to the frontlines of the Rum Creek Fire.
One fire safety officer with ODF will be checking in on operations there to have firefighters’ backs while they are working.
A Portland organization that provides mental health services to firefighters will also be on scene, but it’s going to be a lot more boots on the ground than what mental health services traditionally look like.
Oregon’s fire season got off to a slower start, thanks to the wetter spring, but experts say that could be creating an extra layer of danger for those on the frontlines.
“It might be the first fire for them, or they might not have what we call fire legs yet,” said Brett Weidemiller, a fire safety officer for the ODF.
He’s stationed on the Rum Creek Fire right now and says one of the priorities is making sure firefighters are taking care of themselves.
“Make sure they eat appropriately. Certainly stay hydrated, so we don’t have heat-related issues that are out there,” he said.
It’s unusual for Weidemiller to report to a lower-level incident like this one, but it was necessary after Taylor lost his life on the Rum Creek fire lines.
“When they have their eyes on the prize of putting the fire out, saving property, saving lives, I kind of oversee and make sure that they are doing things prudent,” Weidemiller said.
He says as important as situational awareness is, the awareness of the mental and emotional toll, particularly as firefighters cope with the death of colleagues, is just as important. That’s why ODF is partnering with Portland-based organization, Responder Life, to provide mental health services on the ground.
“They will put their PPE on, they will tie in with operations people, and they will go out into the brush to tie into those frontline firefighters on their turf,” Weidemiller said.
Former first responder Jeff Dill of the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance says being able to talk to someone who understands the industry is crucial to helping a person deal with job-related trauma.
“We came up with the top five warning signs, and they were recklessness and impulsiveness, anger, isolation, loss of confidence or skills and abilities, and then just sleep deprivation,” he said.
If you or a first responder you know is struggling, you can reach out for help by calling 425-243-5092.
