Can You Handle the Stress of Being a First Responder?
A career as a first responder is one of the most stressful jobs imaginable. But it鈥檚 also one of the most rewarding鈥攊f you鈥檙e up to the challenge.
Having a thorough understanding of the kinds of stresses you might face as a first responder, as well as being able to identify these stresses, is an essential part of successfully fulfilling the role. In this article, we鈥檒l guide you through the ins and outs of stress on the job as an EMT to help you better understand the challenges.
Typical Stressors EMTs Face on a Daily Basis
With long hours and life-and-death situations, choosing a career as an EMT should be taken seriously. Here are some of the challenges they typically experience on the job.
Long Hours
EMTs need to be on call round the clock鈥攚hich means they are sometimes required to work 24-hour shifts with back-to-back emergencies.
Medical Emergencies
EMTs generally respond to 911 calls from patients in cardiac arrest, catastrophic bleeding, or diabetic emergency. They also deal with drunken patients, drug overdoses, and the mentally ill. These situations aren鈥檛 just taxing in the moment鈥攖hey can have lasting and potentially
What Does Stress Typically Look Like in EMTs?
There鈥檚 no easy answer since everyone processes stress differently. It鈥檚 nevertheless important to be able to recognize the signs in yourself and others who might not be able to recognize the issues themselves. Take note of the following possible signs:
- Changes in behavior
- An inability to concentrate
- Aggression or bad moods
- Sleeping more or less than normal
- Being withdrawn and quiet
- Avoiding social situations
- Sudden weight loss or weight gain
- Minor ailments (e.g., headaches, sweating, stomach upsets)
- Mental illness, including anxiety, depression, and insomnia (73%of people have stress that impacts their )
It鈥檚 important to listen to your body. “Our bodies try to tell us to slow down, and we just don’t listen,” ) recommends:
鈥淭o improve the behavioral health of the first responders, a cooperative effort is needed between organizational leadership and coworkers to establish a work environment that provides adequate training and ensures the resiliency and health of first responders by protecting them from overwork and excessive stress and supporting them in seeking help when needed. First responders carry the weight of their own safety and well-being as well as those they serve, and thus making programmatic changes to educate them, offer them support, and protect their health and well-being would reduce the risk of burnout, fatigue, or other behavioral health issues associated with being overworked, uncertain, or stressed.鈥
Learn About Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)
Stress is a very real problem for EMTs. According to can be a helpful form of crisis intervention designed to calm emotions both before and stressful events. It helps you process high-stress situations once they鈥檝e happened so you can clear your mind and effectively get the job done.
You may also be referred to a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) which is used to help EMTs deal with traumatic incidents both for themselves, and as a way to help patients and victims cope.
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