But at any time during the night, that person may be awakened suddenly and abruptly by a bunkroom light coming on and some form of a bell indicating there is an alarm. This can be shocking to say the least. Bobby Halton, editor in chief of Fire Engineering, writes that a study of firefighters noted that their heart rates typically rise to 80 percent of maximum when the alarm is received.
As a result, many firefighters develop hypervigilance or sensitivity to lights being turned on. Sleep disruption at work can lead to sleep disorders at home. The inability to sleep easily and deeply may result in sleep deprivation, which may physically predispose oneself to becoming a stress casualty.
One of the most debilitating problems facing firefighters is a steady dose of sleep deprivation that impacts all areas of their life. It is vital that firefighters exercise regularly. Exercising on shift is simply not enough—buy a gym membership or equipment for the house.
Exercise has been scientifically proven to be the only effective way to help the body eliminate excess adrenaline that is nearly always present in the hyperaroused firefighter.
It literally helps them calm down. It has been proven to be extremely beneficial after traumatic events if combined with sufficient rest. If adrenaline is simply left in the system, all of its negative impacts will result e. Regular exercise also keeps firefighters fit and better protected from injury.
Water is another vital component in dealing with a high-stress job. It aids in digestion, helping to prevent gastrointestinal problems that are so common to firefighters. Dehydration is a constant hazard at the fire scene, so it is paramount that firefighters are well hydrated at all times. Foot massage. Relaxation is key for off-duty firefighters.
The ACTH response is easily triggered in seasoned veterans, causing them to have difficulty resting. It leaves muscles tight and sore. As a result, many firefighters fall victim to the abuse of alcohol, pain pills, and muscle relaxers in their desperate efforts to find relief. A simple five-minute foot massage can be beneficial.
Foot massage is a scientifically proven way to significantly reduce stress and relieve muscle tension. A study of heart patients after surgery found that those who received regular foot massages showed significant decreases in blood pressure and faster healing rates than those not receiving foot massages. They also slept more deeply. A similar study on critical care patients noted significant decreases in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration rates.
Rubbing them stimulates different nerves and nerve zones that run throughout the entire body, including the brain. Foot massages have even been shown to relieve headaches and promote sleep. Toxin awareness. It has been clearly demonstrated that firefighters are exposed to cancer-causing toxins and are falling victim to cancer at higher rates than the general population.
Toxins kill normal, healthy cells before their time, which requires your body to replace these cells. The more toxins, the more cells are killed, and the faster your body has to increase production.
Once the error is in place, the body replicates the error, and cancer eventually results. Since it is best not to breathe toxins in the first place, firefighters must better manage their air consumption rates at a fire scene. Using air management techniques, firefighters can better monitor their air supplies to avoid breathing deadly smoke. The topic is now getting serious attention across the country.
Cancer testing. A few cancers can be tested for, and early detection can save lives. For the general population, these tests are not recommended until age 50; but for firefighters, testing should begin at age Make the appointments yourself! Check for melanoma skin cancer once a year; monitor moles, and look for any changes.
Prostate cancer testing requires a rectal exam and a prostate specific antigen PSA blood test. Remember, the average cancer risk for a firefighter is three times that of the general population, so make your spouse get regular physicals and testing. The number one cause of divorce in the country today, for any marriage, is poor communication.
A loving, supportive and communicative marriage is the best source of stress relief for the firefighter; the better the support system, the lower the rates of ASD and PTSD.
Those without a support structure take longer to recover from trauma and suffer more severe repercussions. During time off. They are in a constant state of waiting, preparedness, or tangible anticipation, waiting for the bell to go off in the night. It has been proven that continual circadian rhythm disruption can lead to an absolute mental and physical breakdown, just as can perpetual lack of sleep in a combat soldier.
The two- to four-day break has been established to be the minimal time needed to break the circadian rhythm disruption and return it to normal; four days is optimal. I'm sorry you feel the way that you do, but the bottomline, people cheat for a couple of reasons, one: it's just not right at home and unfortunately they are trying to find comfort elsewhere or since it's not right at home or in the relationship, the ability for the right person to come along is opened.
Two: they will never be a monogamus person and Three: sometimes a situation comes up and things just happen, but then it's over. I do not condone any of it, but I am strong enough to move on and find the right person for me that would not cheat on me.
After all I think I'm a wonderful person and deserves just as wonderful guy for me. I'm willing to wait and go thru the heartbreak until he comes along.
So don't worry about what others are doing or saying, just move on. I DON'T condone cheating, however it is hard to find people you can relate to that understand what you do or why you do it, i think thats why so many people start firehouse romances.
I don't date from my own house cause if things don't work and you both move on its looked at as bed hoping, even if your not. Kids do look up to us, they want to be us when they get old enough, I don't want to see another generation of cheaters, lets try to bring our good name back. Well I will disagree with you on this since I have been married for 21 years, and been a volunteer for 15, and I have never cheated so don't lump all of us in one pot.
No my wife is not a fire fighter or EMT but has enough trust in me to know that I am honest with her. I can not speak for others but if they want to live that life then it is on them and they have to live with it. THis isn't just a firehouse problem I agree. Men and women will cheat where ever, when ever they feel like it. I don't condone it and really if it was happening in our Company, it would be addressed. It could cause way tomuch discord and hard feelings.
I don't know what it's like where you are , butmost of us like to think of ourselves as family and family helps each other out, not be enablers. I married a fellow firefighter, but I sure was careful about accepting that first date. I was the first unmarried woman in our company, with only one woman before me who was EMS and married. Believe me, one mistep and I was told,lol, even if I didn't do anything.
If you are thinking about divorce, or if you have received divorce papers, please contact Speaks Family Law, PC, today to schedule a complimentary consultation. Call We can help you develop a strategy for your divorce. By niftyadmin November 2, October 12th, No Comments. Firefighters and Divorce You might have heard that firefighters get divorced at a higher rate than the general public. Why Do Firefighters Divorce? It is harder to maintain a normal home life if someone is always being called to respond to a fire.
A firefighter could be traumatized at work. Many firefighters see their colleagues and members of the public die.
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