TIFFIN, Ohio (WTVG) - The call for help can be unpredictable and can have lasting effects on first responders.

“The better we can take care of our personnel then the better we can take care of our citizens,” Fire Chief Rob Chappell said.

Chief Chappell said anytime his crews respond to a horrific scene, it can be traumatic, but there are mental health and wellness resources available.

“The stigma in the fire service is that you just chew it up and swallow it down and you deal with it later,” Chief Chappell said. “We’ve learned that that old methodology just no longer works.”

The department has an employee wellness program, including EAP services and mandatory annual wellness checks where staff can talk to counseling professionals.

“We have a chaplains program. It’s one of our retired

See Full Page