First responders frequently respond to critical incidents (CI), causing stress, secondary trauma, and PTSD. Currently, first responders are provided with critical incident stress debriefing (CISD) training. Without pre-trauma exposure or pre-CI intervention, first responders are at a greater risk for increased secondary trauma symptoms (STS) and high risk of burnout, attrition, substance abuse, compassion fatigue, insomnia, post-traumatic stress, depression and suicide. Stigma is a huge factor, limiting those in need from asking for assistance. The increased incidence of first responder suicides contributed to national safety initiatives to prevent firefighter line of duty deaths and injuries. First responders are at increased risk for PTSD yet may not be aware of CI symptoms including secondary trauma. Following a single educational intervention, knowledge retention declined quickly.
