Tag Archives: North American Firefighter Veteran Network

I can't describe the feeling in your gut as you're crawling down that dark, hot hallway. So dark that you can't see the lens of your face piece and so hot that your bottle is hot enough to heat the air you try to breath. I can't tell you why it is that we keep pushing / going but we do.

Did you notice? Did ya see it? What did / will you do about it? There are members all across this country who are struggling with one emotional battle or another. We struggle with these battles yet we continue to step into our boots, pull up our pants and put on our coats. We face personal, life and death  battles ...

First off, I need to say THANK YOU for all the Christmas cards, and messages I received. I personally read each of them and can tell you that they helped lift my spirits (sorry I haven't replied to them all) . I cried every day after coming home to see the fresh stack awaiting me on the kitchen counter. It is very humbling to know that so many of you out there are thinking and care so much about me and my family.

If we can not help ourselves.... our own members... the Brothers and Sisters riding beside us ... how can we be expected to help those we are sworn to serve and protect? Think about that for a minute.

At one point, I wasn't so sure I'd even make it. Now, I have hope.

How can we be expected to save the lives of the very people we are sworn to protect and serve if we can not save our own?

I mentioned that I had returned to duty and that decision or "step" in my healing process was as huge and difficult as any of the others I've made.

I'm not sure I'd be here today if he hadn't. Rhett, and the process he sat in motion SAVED MY LIFE that day and I will be forever grateful!

It's up to us to bring those alternative options to the front! I'm still lost but you don't have to be. Our Brothers and Sisters don't have to be. Open your eyes! We should NOT be suffering due to an ignorance of Behavioral Health and Wellness.

"Take the Step" and help raise PTSD awareness.