First responders experience similar types of exposure to trauma that tend to have a cumulative effect over the course of a career. However, within the varied occupations that constitute this group, there are no rotations home related to their service. Nor are there national statistics acquired to determine their mental health status over the course of their employment.
Much like their comparative military cohorts, their exposure to traumatic situations comes home with them negatively. This tends to alter the quality of life of those who are close to them as well. Many opt out of their chosen professions due to burnout or as others call it, ‘compassion fatigue’. Call it what you will, when it is trauma induced, I call it Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS).
