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Abby Weitkamp

Jason King

AP Seminar

21 April 2017

Heroes of America

In Richard Nixons Address to the Nation on Labor Day, Nixon says: We must find

ways to better recognize and reward the extra effort a worker puts into his job (Nixon). Every

day, police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians save American lives.

However, these heroes are often under-compensated for their effort. When considering

compensation it is important to consider the roles of the effects of mental trauma, salary, and

hours of first responders. A quote from The Myth of Sisyphus says: I see that man going back

down with a heavy yet measured step toward the torment of which he will never know the end

(Camus). Like Sisyphus, the work of first responders is continuous with the weight of terror and

tragedy on their backs. The haunting mental effects of first responders are not worth the time or

lackluster pay.

Background

According to Dictionary.com, a first responder is: a person who is certified to provide

medical care in emergencies before more highly trained medical personnel arrive on the scene

(First Responder). However, Americas heroes are much more than that. According to the

National First Responders Organization, a first responder is: any individual who runs toward an

event rather than away (Who is). The three most commonly referenced first responders are

firefighters, police officers, and EMTs and each has specific duties.
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As stated by Fire Tactics, a widely recognized resource for future firefighters, a

firefighters duties involve fighting fires, preparation, and prevention. Preparation involves

making sure all equipment is ready. Prevention involves educating the public and regular

inspections (Fire Tactics). Criminal Justice USA, an organization that aims to help aspiring

criminal justice students and professionals find necessary and accurate information, stated the

duties of a police officer, or law enforcement officer, focus on protecting people and property

(Criminal). Finally, an EMTs duties, according to Health.ny.gov, are to respond to emergency

calls to provide efficient and immediate care to the critically ill and injured, and to transport the

patient to a medical facility (Emergency). More often than not, firefighters, police officers, and

EMTs respond to calls together.

According to Christopher Cox, a chairman in the Select Committee of Homeland

Security, the Department of Homeland Security provides funding to the states to help support

first responder programs (Cox). However, state and city-specific funding also play a role in the

salaries of first responders. Thus, it is difficult to have a unanimous salary across the nation.

Inconsistent salaries can lead to feelings of unfairness and inequality between firefighter

branches.

Hours

Generally, all first responders work around the same number of hours. However, there are

many variations in shift types among the different first responders. These variations can make it

difficult to perfectly compare hours and pay with mental effects, but the fact that the number of

hours is generally universal allows for an easier comparison.

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When it comes to the hours of firefighters, most cities undertake a 24 on- 48 off system

(learn.org). This means that firefighters work for 24 hours, then have 48 hours off. Thus,

firefighters end up working almost 50 hours per week. However, this does not account for

overtime or holiday work, which often go unpaid.

The hour shifts of police officers vary. Some work five 8-hour shifts; whereas, others

work four 10-hour shifts. Three 12-hour shifts can also be used but only with a little wiggling in

order to get an extra four hours to add up to a total of 40 hours per week (10-hour).

EMTs typically work four 9-hour shifts or three 12-hour shifts in order to add up to 36

hours. However, they do not want to exceed 40 because after that, it is considered overtime

(Konig). Thus, those that control the pay of EMTs make sure the amount of hours worked do not

exceed 40 because the pay per hour becomes more than normal during overtime work.

Pay

Moving on to the pay of first responders, the Bureau of Labor Statistics provides factual

and national average annual wages. The average annual wage of a firefighter was $50,520. The

average annual wage of a police officer was $62,790. Finally, the average annual wage of an

EMT was $36,110 (U.S. Bureau). When reviewing these hours, firefighters work the most hours

per week on average compared to police officers and EMTs. However, police officers and EMTs

both can not exceed a 40 hour work week. In comparison with the wages, the hours do not

correlate. Firefighters work the most but have a smaller annual salary than police officers. Also,

police officers and EMTs work about the same number of hours per week, but the annual salary

of an EMT is almost half that of a police officer.

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Mental Trauma

An article published in the Journal of Individual Psychology stated that first responders

are particularly susceptible to acute stress disorder, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and

depression (Garner). When considering the trauma that first responders are frequently exposed

to, this makes sense. Unhealthy patterns in psychological views of the world as well as unhealthy

patterns of social reactions can form due to these traumas. There are eight variables that most

influence individual susceptibility. These variables are unique group membership, degree of

previous experience and trauma preparation, age, marital status, substance abuse, social support,

interpersonal qualities of work environment, and feelings of self-worth. Social support can play a

profoundly positive role when it allows responders to increase their psychological resources and

assimilate trauma (Garner).

Lukasz Baka, an employee at the Central Institute for Labor Protection- National

Research Institute, wrote an article highlighting the Job Demands-Resources model. The Job

Demands-Resources model assumes that each occupation involves specific job demands which,

in conditions of poor job resources, may lead to poor health (Baka). There are two categories of

demands: inherent stressors and organizational stressors. Inherent stressors refer to critical

incidents in the field and work of the force; whereas, organizational stressors refer to the

structure and functioning of the force (Baka). Previous studies indicate organizational stressors

such as supervisors leadership styles, poor communication, poor equipment, poor training,

excessive paperwork, etc. are more detrimental to the health of first responders than inherent

stressors (Baka). After all, organizational stressors are due to people whom they work with

everyday whereas inherent stressors are often individual incidents.

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Finally, there is a program in place called CISM that helps to lower the impact of stress

and speed up the recovery process after critical or traumatic incidents. CISM stands for Critical

Incident Stress Management. Some possible stressors include: inherent stressors, organizational

stressors, traumatic events, and pressure. The program follows an internationally recognized

standard of care that is one of a few in crisis intervention for first responders in the United States

(Volkmann). Nonetheless, CISM is not always integrated correctly, thus its uses become invalid

(Erich). However, this program does not stop mental health effects, specifically PTSD, in its

tracks.

Training and Therapy

Jeff Dill, a captain at the Palatine Rural Fire Protection District in Illinois who runs the

Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance (FBHA) said: Once we put this uniform on, were

expected to act a certain way: Be strong. Dont show weakness. Dont be the weak link of the

companywe can handle problems on our own (Erich). This has created much stigma

surrounding the process receiving or seeking help or therapy. The issue is not that the resources

are not available, but that the stigma surrounding the resources causes wariness to seek them out

(Erich). This stigma originates in the training of first responders.

Currently, the training of first responders does little to prepare them for the mental stress

and trauma caused by the job. Changes need to be made to the training of first responders to

better prepare them for traumatic events and continual stress. Some changes are trauma

preparations such as studies of mindfulness, the brains stress and trauma responses, and the

therapeutic benefits of developing social support (Garner). Another option is to make use of new

resilient programs that were modified from the programs used in the military (Erich).
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All of the mental effects and problems listed above are detrimental to the health of first

responders. Many hours are spent working to keep citizens and communities safe with no

reprieve. Even if the pay is increased, the mental effects are still not worth the sacrifice if better

training and therapy options are not put into place.

Counterargument

Some may argue that since the rate of fatalities has decreased, it is becoming safer for

first responders. When comparing the 2011 fatality rates to the previous eight years, there was a

29% decrease in firefighter deaths (Garner). In The Private Traumas of First Responders, there is

a story of a firefighter named Paul. At one point in the case study, Paul said: "I just want to save

everyone. (Garner). First responders make the decision to enter their profession and stay there.

They may also say that if said first responders wish to do their job, they are serving the public

and it is their choice. As Craig Thomas said: Becoming a first responder, whether it is fire,

EMS, or police, is easily one of the most rewarding things you can do. You are actively helping

people in your community and you see your effect on the world. Not many people can say that

(Thomas). Sisyphus provides another example through this quote: The struggle itself toward the

heights is enough to ll a mans heart (Camus).

Another consideration is that therapy is available for mental trauma. Not only is therapy

available and increasing, but there has been an increased focus on starting these problems before

the start with good, preventative care (Erich).

Rebuttal

Despite the valid points raised above, the costs still outweigh the benefits. The rates of

firefighter nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses are just over four times greater than those
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of all other occupations (Garner). It is also important to consider just how recurrent and

damaging the mental effects can be. Paul also said: It's difficult to live with; it's difficult to

sleep with. I take it very personally, I close my eyes and I see death; I see the people that died.

Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and I have a dream where I'm saving them this

time. They are typically dead before you get called. (Garner). After all, too much mental stress

and trauma can completely change the way of thinking. Current therapy is not always

implemented correctly (Erich). Thus, therapy is deemed ineffective. Not to mention the impact

that the stigma of needing therapy has on first responders who need help.

Solutions

In order to fix the issues revolving around first responders, it is important to be universal. A

more universal pay throughout the country could help to calm specific regions and unite all first

responders. It is also important to have universal training and resources available to first

responders. One such resource that needs to be correctly used unanimously is CISM. The Job

Demands-Resources model needs to be applied to all stations to help keep peace between first

responders as well as to help reduce stress. Finally, first responders should be paid for all hours

of work, overtime or not.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while many people continue to choose to become first responders, it is

time to look at the implications of a job as a first responder. The pay and time spent are not

worth the mental effects and risks. First responders are some of Americas heroes. They serve

their communities everyday, and it is only right that their service is returned through better

preparation for the job as well as more outlets to save their mental health. As President Obama
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once said Because that, after all, is why we serve. Not to score points or take credit. But to

make peoples lives better (Obama).

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Works Cited

Baka, Lukasz. "The Effects of Job Demands on Mental and Physical Health in the Group of

Police Officers. Testing the Mediating Role of Job Burnout." Studia Psychologica, vol.

57, no. 4, Oct. 2015, pp. 285-299. EBSCOhost, https://goo.gl/AzteWI.

Camus, Albert. The Myth of Sisyphus. The Myth of Sisyphus and Other Essays, Translated by

OBrien Justin. 1955. Accessed 13 Mar. 2017.

Cox, Christopher. First Responders. 23 June 2003. goo.gl/Rtq1Q9. Accessed 6 April 2017.

Emergency Medical Technician-Basic: National Standard Curriculum. PsycEXTRA Dataset,

doi:10.1037/e592372009-001. https://goo.gl/VqXGvZ. Accessed 12 Apr. 2017.

Erich, John. Suicide, Stress and PTSD Among Emergency Personnel. EMSWorld.com, EMS

World, 1 Nov. 2014, https://goo.gl/mRcmiR. Accessed 20 Mar. 2017.

Firefighter Job Description & Requirements. What Do Firefighters Do? Fire Tactics, Fire

Tactics, 2015, www.firetactics.com/firefighter-job-description/. Accessed 5 Apr. 2017.

First Responder. Dictionary.com, Dictionary.com, 2017,

www.dictionary.com/browse/first-responder?s=t. Accessed 4 April 2017.

Garner, Nadine, et al. "The Private Traumas of First Responders." Journal of Individual

Psychology, vol. 72, no. 3, Fall 2016, pp. 168-185. EBSCOhost, https://goo.gl/b4KSH3.

Konig, Dave. How Many Hours Make a Paramedic or EMT Shift? EMS1.Com, EMS1.Com,

26 May 2016, https://goo.gl/Mee4yv. Accessed 19 Apr. 2017.

May 2016 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates. U.S. Bureau of Labor

Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 31 Mar. 2017,

www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm. Accessed 15 Apr. 2017.

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Nixon, Richard. Address to the Nation on Labor Day. Address to the Nation on Labor Day, 6

Sept. 1971, Camp David, Maryland, The American Presidency Project,

www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=3138. Accessed 13 Mar. 2017.

Obama, Barack. Farewell Address. Farewell Address, 10 Jan. 2017, Chicago, McCormick

Place, The New York Times, goo.gl/JYxB6a. Accessed 7 Mar. 2017.

Police Officer Careers, Jobs and Degree Information. Criminal Justice USA, Criminal Justice

USA, 2017, www.criminaljusticeusa.com/police-officer/. Accessed 5 Apr. 2017.

10-Hour Shifts Offer Cost Savings and Other Benefits to Law Enforcement Agencies.National

Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, 24 Jan. 2012,

www.nij.gov/topics/law-enforcement/officer-safety/stress-fatigue/pages/shift-work.aspx.

Accessed 8 Apr. 2017.

Thomas, Craig Joseph. 5 Things Nobody Tells You About Becoming a First Responder.

Odyssey, Odyssey Media Group, 3 Nov. 2015,

www.theodysseyonline.com/5-things-nobody-tells-you-about-becoming-first-responder.

Accessed 19 April 2017.

Volkmann, Peter. "When Traumatic Events Affect the EMS Worker: The Role of the CISM

Team." Fire Engineering, vol. 156, Nov/Dec2003 Supplement, pp. 51-54. EBSCOhost,

https://goo.gl/Y5VKdt.

What Are the Typical Work Hours for a Firefighter? Learn.org -, BBB Accredited Business,

2017, learn.org/articles/What_are_the_Typical_Work_Hours_for_a_Firefighter.html.

Accessed 7 Apr. 2017.

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Who Is a First Responder. National First Responders Organization , National First Responders

Organization , 2014, www.nfro.org/who.html. Accessed 5 Apr. 2017.