EDITORS’ NOTE: The following story includes a sensitive discussion about suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, consider reaching out for support at the services listed at the bottom of the page.
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Pulling back the curtain on his life, Brian Rice, President of the California Professional Firefighters Association, details his inner turmoil, battle with addiction and even an attempt to take his own life in a new video to members.
“I was right there, I thank God,” says Rice.
Full of emotions, for the first time sharing his personal life story. This, after he says four active duty firefighters died by suicide in the last 90 days in the state of California.
“My hope and prayer are that we never lose another firefighter to suicide in the State of California Professional Firefighters or anywhere in this nation,” says Rice.
He calls the issue of suicide among firefighters an epidemic and a crisis.
Over his 40 years in the fire service, Rice says the career has evolved, that the pressures are greater due to an increase in call volumes and workloads.
The first responders face not only fires, but medical emergencies, car crashes, and loss of life. Traumas that can become haunting.
“You see it, you smell it, you feel it, sometimes you taste it,” says Rice.
Battalion Chief Keola Park oversees Fresno Fire’s peer support program, he believes talking is one part of the solution.
“Peer support is very powerful, being that all of us firefighters we have that experience as far as a traumatic chronicle that we go through in our career. And the impact they have and there’s no one size fits all when it comes to mental and behavioral health,” says Battalion Chief Park.
Dr. Amy Parks, executive director of NAMI Fresno, says the general population might experience three traumas across their lifetime, for firefighters on average it’s about 10 in a month. She sees the culture surrounding mental health shifting, but the stigma remains.
“In a profession where you are a hero, you are the one that’s running to save everyone else, that the idea that you might need help the stigma that comes with that could be seen as that you’re not fit for your job,” says Dr. Parks.
With plans to retire at the end of April, Rice knew his story couldn’t be left untold.
His message to firefighters everywhere, you are not alone.
“Suicide is not the answer, if you’re thinking about it, I’m telling you I’ve been there, don’t do it,” says Rice.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
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