Lakewood Group Wants To Stop Suicide Among Firefighters

LAKEWOOD, OH — For years, more firefighters have died by suicide than in the line-of-duty. To deter suicides and embrace mental health, Lakewood firefighters have launched an innovative new program.

The Lakewood Fire Peer Support initiative will provide ways to reduce stress and its negative effects on firefighters, paramedics and dispatchers. The program is modeled on similar initiatives in Illinois, North Carolina and Florida.

Lakewood's program is being organized by firefighters Ryan Fairbanks and Ryan Birth. Both men said they wanted to explore new ways to address the epidemic of suicides among firefighters. The initiative is getting support from the city of Lakewood and the International Association of Firefighters.

“We started out focusing only on mental health, but as we dove further into to some of the challenges firefighters were facing, we’ve realized that mental health is a significant component, but we need to address full-scope health and wellness,” said Birth. “We are looking out for first responders physical, behavioral, and mental health while keeping their loved ones in mind.”

Earlier this summer, the Lakewood Fire Peer Support team hosted firefighters from Lakewood and throughout Cuyahoga County, providing peer support training to attendees. Representatives from Cleveland, Shaker Heights, Bath Township, Bowling Green, Parma, Parma Heights, Lyndhurst, Garfield Heights and the Ohio State Fire Marshal's Office attended the summer training.

Trained firefighters can provide support to colleagues and then be a bridge to services offered through the city and through insurance — services like an employee assistance program, access to a clinician network and more.

Lakewood's Fire Peer Support team currently has 15 active members and one retired member, along with three dispatchers. The goal is to grow the program within the Lakewood Fire Department and to reach out in support of similar programs at nearby departments.

“Our goal is to build resilient firefighters and provide a support network for the first responder and everyone in their lives,” said Fairbanks. “The peer(s) help to identify what is going on so they can be the bridge to connect their fellow firefighter, paramedic, or dispatcher to the appropriate resources.”