Trauma Takes Its Toll on Nebraska Responders
PAPILLION, Neb. --
First responders in Sarpy County have had a rough several weeks. Emergency crews there have taken care of six major crashes in the past month. It takes its toll on the responders, both mentally and emotionally, officials said.
On Saturday, Sarpy County firefighters and law enforcement responded to a crash along Interstate 80 in which a man died and a woman was found unconscious. The van involved in the accident was burned beyond recognition.
"You couldn’t even tell what make or model it was at the time," said Lt. Kevin Griger with the Sarpy County Sheriff's Office.
Griger has been working such accidents for decades. He said each crash can be difficult to handle, but it's part of the job. Griger took some advice from a senior deputy years ago.
"He said you just have to go out and do your job and focus on what your job is," he said. "You can't get caught up at the scene thinking about these people and their feelings and their families, because if you do, you won't be able to do your job."
Once they get away from the job, the reality of the situation can hit first responders hard.
"In certain cases, it can be people that are burned, people that are missing arms or hands, or things like that," said Lt. Steve Grabowski with the Sarpy County Sheriff's Office.
Grabowski helps organize a debriefing program to help his colleagues talk about a traumatic scene. He said first reponders have the chance to sit down with mental health professionals about four or five times a year. They just want to make sure the first people at the scene of an accident are OK.
"You find if you talk about it more and more, it's a lot easier to deal with," said Grabowski.
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