According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome is a mental illness caused by trauma.  It can be a reality for many members of Emergency Services, firefighter or otherwise

When a tragic accident or fire is reported, it is the volunteer firefighters that get called, among other first responders. They are the ones on the scene, in the thick of it and though these tragedies affect many, sometimes we forget about the ones who saw it first. Brad Hutton, Fire Chief for the Redvers area.

"It's trying, you definitely have to talk through it and work through it, things are not unseen at a lot of scenes. What happens, what goes on, it's there, it is a mental picture and it never leaves"

Hutton explained that his people do have options that are in place for them if they ever need to talk about something. They have had counselors and even Red Cross come in a few times to debrief after certain calls. Hutton also stated that in many of their monthly meetings these types or situation are brought up.

"We discuss instances and we go through scenarios and see if we can maybe prepare people for what they may come across or run into, through group discussion. It is always talked about and mentioned"

Hutton also said that if they have attended a serious incident, he tries to get his people into a new atmosphere for the debrief, such as an RM office or somewhere that they can clear their minds and get the train of thought off of fire for a while. 

Hutton also commented that in certain scenarios where they may have to attend a scene that is serious, knowing his people, he will set things up so that certain members who may not be able to be at their best, can still contribute otherwise with traffic control, amongst other things. 

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