Cherry Hill Recovery Center

What seems like a lifetime ago, I landed a pretty good job as a firefighter on a fire brigade inside a PECO Energy power plant, where I learned from some fantastic guys.?I was also a volunteer firefighter in Springfield Township, Delaware County, PA, where I met some amazing lifetime friends who were called to service as I was.?I remember responding to my first fatal fire on December 3, 1995, in an apartment in Morton, PA.?We threw ladders to the second floor and made access through one of the windows where an elderly woman was found under the debris directly under the window.?I can still vividly recall that scene, down to the soot-covered nightgown with flowers she wore.?? I would go on to encounter more fatal incidents throughout my career in firefighting and then as a police officer.?Some stick more than others, as most first responders will tell you.?There is one thing for certain: the cumulative effects of trauma often lead to serious mental health and addiction issues left unchecked.?? Addressing the stark realities faced by first responders, it's essential to establish straightforward, effective mental health check-ins and support systems that cut through the bias and stigma.?The aim should be to normalize seeking help as a routine aspect of occupational health, akin to wearing protective gear or undergoing physical exams.?By making mental health support as accessible and regular as any other safety protocol and ensuring that services are confidential and tailored to the unique experiences of first responders, we can better safeguard their well-being.?Practical steps, such as anonymous access to counselors experienced with trauma and critical incident stress debriefings after intense calls, should be standard.?It's about acknowledging the burden of what they carry and providing them with the tools and support to manage it head-on.?Let us know if we can help.