by Keola Park
People often assume the jobs of first responders, such as firefighters, law enforcement, and military personnel, are filled with adventure and heroism. But plenty of pain and suffering happens too. As a firefighter and leader in the fire service, I’ve experienced trauma, and I’ve learned the importance of handling stress and building resilience.
While most people don’t encounter trauma and violence in their daily lives, firefighters—like military and other first responders—witness some of the most chaotic and horrific events imaginable as we put ourselves at risk to ensure the safety of others. Single and cumulative traumas can lead to post-traumatic stress injuries (PTSI) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, about 20% of firefighters meet the criteria for PTSD at some point in their careers, which is nearly triple that of the general population.
Trauma doesn’t necessarily have to be a wholly negative experience. People can experience positive psychological changes after a crisis or trauma, leading to what’s known as post-traumatic growth (PTG). This growth can coexist with PTSI/PTSD, and it helps explain how people can experience positive outcomes despite the distress that traumatic experiences can bring.
Reflecting on the chaos, trauma, or tragedies experienced on the job can help you grow and become more resilient. This process, known as “deliberate rumination,” involves purposefully making sense of and learning from traumatic experiences. People who have gone through post-traumatic growth—myself included—often develop a newfound appreciation for life, gain a greater understanding of their personal strength, and form deeper connections with others.
Evolution of growth
Early in my career, I learned that being a firefighter involves both physical and mental challenges. Since then, I’ve learned that mastering them is a lifelong process. Even when I learned how to tackle emergencies, the stress of the job still took its toll. The range of stresses—from sleep deprivation, to exposure to toxins, to physical exhaustion—built up over time. Witnessing countless losses of life caused by things like violence, traumatic incidents, and the destruction of property profoundly shaped my perspective. Not being fully prepared, I also faced a variety of stresses due to shift work, living far from family and friends, missing important events, and living beyond my means. As a result, my lack of work-life balance caused me to overprioritize work at the expense of time with my family and friends.
All of these pressures led me to make poor decisions and behave in ways I later regretted. Eventually, my marriage reached a breaking point, and I was faced with the decision to get a divorce. Fortunately, my wife and I were able to work through our issues and reconcile. Through courage, empathy, forgiveness, and resilience, I experienced post-traumatic growth that stemmed from both the challenges of the job and the personal struggles within my marriage.
As I’ve progressed in my career as a firefighter, I’ve witnessed my fair share of traumatic events and I’ve seen the tremendous resilience firefighters possess. This resilience helps us navigate all sorts of chaos, whether on or off the fireground. It helps us rise above challenges and embrace “imua,” a Hawaiian term that means “moving forward and growing stronger with each challenge we face."
Taking care of yourself is crucial to ensure you can perform at your best when called to serve. As a first responder, you’re bound to experience traumatic events. But you don’t have to suffer from negative impacts such as PTSI and PTSD. First responders who experience PTG often have improved mental health, which can improve their performance. As I recount my own story and work through past traumas and emotions—both personal and professional—I’ve discovered newfound strength and resilience. I’ve learned to transform trauma into strength, the art of forgiveness, and how to feel a greater appreciation for life.
