Even those who dedicate their lives to assisting others can use a little help sometimes. Last weekend, the Butler Eagle ran a story about the resources that Cranberry Township’s EMS provides for its first responders to deal with the grief and stress that comes with their demanding jobs.

According to EMS 1 — an online resource for paramedics and other emergency responders — first responders are frequently thrust into an “emotional pinball machine” when responding to accidents and other emergencies, and the stages of grief are not necessarily linear.

The website contends that there has been a long-standing stigma regarding emotional responses by first responders who, we are often led to believe, have steeled themselves from traumatic scenes. But it is a rare thing that a human being could be completely disconnected to the extent that scenes of horror or loss do not faze them.

Jeff Kelly, the executive director of Cranberry Township’s EMS, said that three years ago this point was driven home for him following the suicides of two co-workers. He noted the grief that results from witnessing traumatic events often catches up with responders when they least expect it. “Because you get so caught up in the adrenaline of everything, you’re not in that moment until it’s done,” he said, adding that grief can take a while to resonate.

Statistics show that stress and grief weigh heavily on first responders. In 2017, a total of 93 fire personnel died in the line of duty, while 103 committed suicide. During that same period, 129 law enforcement officers were killed on duty, while 140 took their own lives.

Cranberry EMS deserves praise for providing services to responders who need help with their mental well-being. The goal of the Butler County Critical Incident Stress Management Team is to support emergency responders during and after traumatic incidents and help to prevent long-term effects from occurring.

The team is made up of mental health professionals, law enforcement personnel, chaplains and community members who work together to assist responders who are dealing with a traumatic incident. Responders are given an opportunity to work through their feelings in a room full of people who have shared common experiences.

It is important to provide catharsis to those who work hard every day to save the lives of others. Traumatic scenes, such as accidents and crime scenes, affect everyone involved, from victims and their family members to those who assist them. Our local first responders should feel no shame in seeking services to help them cope with the horrors they witness, and we hope they take advantage of the programs that are offered. We also hope that local EMS expands the programs they have to ensure that first responders have access to all of the services they need.