Weymouth Firefighters Fight For Job-Related PTSD Awareness

WEYMOUTH, MA — Weymouth firefighters have launched a campaign to raise awareness about the side effects of on-duty trauma while pushing for first responders to have access to disability benefits if they've received a PTSD diagnosis.

The union says that new legislation could protect first responders battling PTSD caused by trauma that happened at work.

Weymouth’s International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1616 launched the “The Heroes Need Heroes, Too” campaign in an effort to address the stigma attached to mental health earlier this month.

The union released a video to raise awareness of how badly PTSD is affecting first responders. In the video, Lieutenant Kevin McNiff said that one in five firefighters experience PTSD at least once in their career.

"We're often the first on the scene to witness unspeakable trauma and tragedy and over time, those experiences add up and take a toll on our mental health," said McNiff in the video.

Lt. Jay Bailey says they have tried to make it easy for firefighters in Weymouth to come forward, but says efforts are futile with Fire Chief Keith Stark. "Chief Stark has used that call for help against our members instead of prioritizing our own health and well-being," Bailey said.

McNiff said PTSD is a hazard of the job and should be treated as such.

"Every time we are about to move forward, we get the same two concerns: what's going to happen if the chief finds out, and I can't afford to miss time at work," said McNiff.

Chief Stark says he acknowledges that PTSD is a real issue in the fire service and that he personally has also suffered from it, in a report from the Patriot Ledger. "It's unfortunate that the union chose this topic of firefighters’ mental health for a personal attack on me," he said in the report. "I've always encouraged firefighters to ask for help."

The union urges Weymouth residents to contact State Legislators and show support towards Senate Bill 1691 and House Bill 2726.