Suicides Up Among Chicago Firefighters

By Kalyn Belsha in News on Mar 28, 2009 5:00PM

The Chicago Fire Department is investigating an increase in firefighter suicides and attempts in the last year and has started to coordinate more outreach programs in order to prevent additional attempts.

There have been six suicides and an undisclosed number of attempted suicides in the last year -- in a force of 5,000 firefighters and paramedics -- an "above average number," according to department officials. The spike prompted the department to arrange open counseling sessions as well as a family day to address the issue.

Officials aren’t attributing the increase to any immediate cause, but warn the job of a firefighter and paramedic is a stressful one, and said the department tends to employ people who hide or control their emotions.

"In the course of our job we see a lot of difficult things," said the president of the firefighters' union, Tom Ryan. "Could it be a contributing factor? We don't know. Everybody leaves and goes home and you don't know what happens behind closed doors."

The department coordinated a family-focus day in late January to talk about factors that can affect an already stressed employee, including financial problems, substance abuse and other family issues. About 600 employees and their families attended the event, and the department plans to coordinate more like it. The department is also sending staff and counselors to suicide prevention and awareness seminars. [Trib, S-T]