ERLANGER, Ky. – The Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) Fire Department hosted the second annual Brain and Body Health Symposium for First Responders at the Training and Education Center St. Elizabeth.
What You Need to Know The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) Fire Department hosted its second annual Brain and Body Health Symposium
The event provided resources for first responders
Events are happening at work that could impact the mental health and well-being of first responders
First responders told Spectrum News 1 it was important to discuss the issues they face on a daily basis and to shine a light on mental health and the resources available to emergency medical service workers.
“That way we can help break the stigma and help change the culture around mental health and make people realize it’s okay to not be well and to be able to speak up when you have any problems,” coordinator Phillip Hall said.
Thomas Wells is the Chief of Police for the Springdale, Ohio Police Department. He has been an officer for over 34 years. He says a lot can happen when someone is a first responder.
Wells said: “Whether it’s people abusing other people, whether it’s terrible car accidents, whether it’s young people dying at an early age, there’s just a myriad of different things that affect us. as human beings we see everyday that most people don’t see.
In 2020, his department caused an officer to die in the line of duty. Wells said the death of Officer Kaia Grant led Wells and the department to focus on how traumatic events on the job can impact a person.
At the symposium, first responders could explore the resources available to them in the greater Cincinnati area. Attendees also had the chance to listen to speakers discuss everything from peer support, addiction, and more.
It was an event that Wells attended with pleasure.
“Seeing this growth really makes me feel good about the future of first responder wellness,” Wells said.
Retirement is in Wells’ future, and he wants to use what he learned at the symposium to help shine a light on the well-being of first responders.
“What I would like to do is continue to be a voice to explain to other police chiefs why it is so important to have different programs that give employees different access to the help that exists and that helps them. to deal with critical cases like death in the line of duty because when that happens it’s like a tsunami,” he added.
Symposium organizers say they hope to continue sharing details about wellness resources.
