Weymouth Firefighters have launched a campaign to highlight Post Traumatic Stress Disorder through “Heroes Need Heroes, Too.”
Lieutenant Kevin McNiff, the President of Weymouth Local Firefighters 1616, said legislation on Beacon Hill is aimed at allowing first responders to access disability benefits after receiving a PTSD diagnosis.
“The emergencies we respond to on a daily basis, the tragedies we witness, it takes a toll throughout a career,” said McNiff. “It’s really no surprise that firefighters across the state and across the country are dealing and struggling with PTSD as a result.”
According to a study cited by the International Association of Fire Fighters, 20 percent of firefighters and first responders in the U.S. develop PTSD during their career. That is compared to 6.8 percent for civilians.
“There’s always been a stigma around mental health and especially PTSD in our field. It’s kind of the unspoken about injury that a lot of our members deal with,” said McNiff. “Guys feel that maybe they’re not fit to do this job, or they’re a hazard in some way because they are struggling with mental health. I think we’ve come a long way in educating our members and educating the public that PTSD and mental health isn’t a liability. It’s an injury just like any other. Just like if I break my leg, I need to go get help and recover from that.”
House bill 2726 and Senate bill 1691 would align benefits with the risks of being a first responder.
“It would recognize PTSD as a presumption, similar to our heart, lung, and cancer presumption. We recognize that it is a hazard of this job,” said McNiff. “God forbid if you are struggling with that, or need to retire due to your PTSD or mental health condition, it would be certified as a job-related injury, and not just a normal injury. This provides a lot more protection for the member and their family.”
A joint virtual hearing on the bills was scheduled for Wednesday from 1 to 5 p.m. That can be viewed here.
