I need to talk...
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,385
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From: Mercer County, OH
I need to talk...
Guys, I'm an 18 year veteran of our local volunteer fire department and we respond with the squad to automobile accidents. Early this morning we were called to a two vehicle accident and when we got on the scene there were four dead young men in one vehicle. Apparently another vehicle failed to stop at a stop sign and t-boned them in the passenger side. I knew everyone of those guys as they graduated from high school with my daughter last year. It was absolutely horrible having to remove them from the car and place them on backboards. When we were finished there were four classmate lying next to each other in the ditch.
Thanks for letting me talk.
Thanks for letting me talk.
Moderator
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 158,351
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From: Greenfield, MA
Does your department have a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing team??? Local departments around here have them and it has proven to be a God send for folks like you who have to deal with what you deal with. If your department doesn't have one...perhaps there is one near by that can help. I'm sure you're not the only one stressed by this incident. Hopefully you will be able to find the help you're reaching out for and be able to come to terms with your feelings.
Government Teat-sucker
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Virginia Beach
Originally Posted by Bruker
Thanks for letting me talk.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,292
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its always hard to understand these kind of tragedies . I have never found the words that allow me to comfort others who face this very thing, but Bigken has a good idea there that you should reach out to your department and see if they have anyone you could talk with that has better grief skills. If they dont and you are religiously inclined perhaps your church's leader. In an event i wish you well and hope you are able to come to grips with this.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,105
Likes: 2
From: Mississippi
Man thats a hard situation to be in. I am glad you felt comfortable enough to share this with us. The familes are in my prayers and I am thankful we have great people like you Bruker out there who really know what its like to care for others. I have a few friends of mine back in my college years who were in a car wreck and also passed. It almost doesn't seem real you know? Its so unfair but God has a plan for everyone. My prays are also with you my friend.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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Likes: 24
Bru, I can slightly understand what you are going through.
My Freind & I were the first to arrive at a scene of a horrific single vehicle Traffic accident on our main Hwy "The Trans-Canada" near Lake Louise in 1971. I was 21.
Both of us (with First aid training) jumped right into help before anyone else.
I remember cradling the head & shoulder area of 50 y/o woman with half her hair gone.
all the time and having to see the drivers stuck in the windshield ..while my friends tending to people half in half out of the back seat.
These are traumas that take a special person to deal with on an everyday basis.
You IMO are one of the strongest type of people I know when you put yourself in the position you do.
I know you will over come this Trauma and it will as the others make you stronger yet
until you can't take it anyone.
On behalf of people that are at risk to have this happen to them.. thank you for what you do
My Freind & I were the first to arrive at a scene of a horrific single vehicle Traffic accident on our main Hwy "The Trans-Canada" near Lake Louise in 1971. I was 21.
Both of us (with First aid training) jumped right into help before anyone else.
I remember cradling the head & shoulder area of 50 y/o woman with half her hair gone.
all the time and having to see the drivers stuck in the windshield ..while my friends tending to people half in half out of the back seat.
These are traumas that take a special person to deal with on an everyday basis.
You IMO are one of the strongest type of people I know when you put yourself in the position you do.
I know you will over come this Trauma and it will as the others make you stronger yet
until you can't take it anyone.
On behalf of people that are at risk to have this happen to them.. thank you for what you do
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 846
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From: Paris, Arkansas
As a paramedic for 14 years and a volunteer firefighter for longer I feel you pain. Working in your home area has this danger. To see such a loss of young life is difficult at best. Keep an eye on yourself and others that were involved. We rescue workers are exposed to many heartbreaks but were would many be without us. Our morning and suffering is second only to the families and close friends of those lost. I will pray for you and your fellow rescuers. God Bless.
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
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I could only take two years of it...
I know exactly where you're coming from, man.
In 1994, 1995, 1996 I served on our Rescue Squad as a First Responder. My younger son was the Captain and between the two of us we responded to most of the calls as our jobs were then nearby and we could usually leave.
I saw enough and I still often remember the young people the most. There was post-incident stuff available, but we didn't use it much. Who wants to admit to being a wuss that can't take it? Many of them drink. I had/have a CDL to protect and severely limit my drinking. Sad, isn't it, that the very "medicine" many of us have turned to for solace is the very cause of so many of these especially serious tragedies?
It is not easy and I really take offense still when folks make fun of Volunteer Fire and Rescue Companies. It's all we have out here away from the cities and towns and we are often literally scraping our own friends and families from the wreckage and pavement.
Take care, watch yourself and don't be a wuss like me and quit. We all need you doing what you do.
From the bottom of my heart a sincere "Thank You".
Dave
In 1994, 1995, 1996 I served on our Rescue Squad as a First Responder. My younger son was the Captain and between the two of us we responded to most of the calls as our jobs were then nearby and we could usually leave.
I saw enough and I still often remember the young people the most. There was post-incident stuff available, but we didn't use it much. Who wants to admit to being a wuss that can't take it? Many of them drink. I had/have a CDL to protect and severely limit my drinking. Sad, isn't it, that the very "medicine" many of us have turned to for solace is the very cause of so many of these especially serious tragedies?
It is not easy and I really take offense still when folks make fun of Volunteer Fire and Rescue Companies. It's all we have out here away from the cities and towns and we are often literally scraping our own friends and families from the wreckage and pavement.
Take care, watch yourself and don't be a wuss like me and quit. We all need you doing what you do.
From the bottom of my heart a sincere "Thank You".
Dave
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 1
From: Mercer County, OH
Thanks for the replies. Breaking the news to my daughter was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I'm doing better now, I talk to my wife and got some stuff out. Funeral home visits and funerals are in store the next three days. Thanks again.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 8,770
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From: The Great North~West!
I just can't possibly imagine what you are going through or are feeling. I hope I never do. I am glad however, that you feel that you can share it with us. And know that each and every one of are here to listen. You are in my prayer,, you and your family and the family of the boys.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 334
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From: Milltown, NJ
I am a retired police officer. Most of my time was spent in the Traffic Division where we investigated all the serious/fatal accidents in our town. We were 25 sq. miles in area and averaged 5 fatal (multiples included) and 75+- serious accidents a year.
The worst involved a family of five that had a loaded garbage truck cross a divided highway, turn on it's side and crush them while riding in an old '66 Firebird. All died except a three month old girl that miraculously lived (barely).
Seen a little of everything and some STILL haunt me to this day.
Like the guys have already said, talk to ANYONE if it's bothering you. Just the fact that you SAY it out loud relieves enough of the built up feelings to allow you to move on 'till tomorrow.
Believe me when I say you are not alone in the feeling of dispair and bewilderment at some of the things life has in store for us all.
See, this post has released a little of the memories that I have creeping in the shadows of my head.
The worst involved a family of five that had a loaded garbage truck cross a divided highway, turn on it's side and crush them while riding in an old '66 Firebird. All died except a three month old girl that miraculously lived (barely).
Seen a little of everything and some STILL haunt me to this day.
Like the guys have already said, talk to ANYONE if it's bothering you. Just the fact that you SAY it out loud relieves enough of the built up feelings to allow you to move on 'till tomorrow.
Believe me when I say you are not alone in the feeling of dispair and bewilderment at some of the things life has in store for us all.
See, this post has released a little of the memories that I have creeping in the shadows of my head.
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
I havent really been to a bad accident firsthand, so I dont know how it would feel to be there and see that stuff.
Keep you chin up man, I hope ya feel better. I feel for those families too.
Keep you chin up man, I hope ya feel better. I feel for those families too.
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