Project Homefront tackles job impact on first responders and their families
- Tammy L Wells
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
ALFRED, Maine – It is part of the job, but it is one that takes a toll, and it can be a heavy one.
If you are a first responder there are events you encounter you cannot unsee, unhear, or not smell. The first time you saw what is unimaginable to most people replays in your head. And given the nature of your life’s work, similar scenes repeat in real life with car crashes, medical emergencies, a deadly fire or a standoff with a bad outcome. At times it seems like it just doesn’t let up.
Over time, there is an impact, often suffered alone and in silence, and it can wear you down, those in the industry say.
If you’re a support person to someone in those circumstances – significant other, best friend, sibling, parent – what wears on them can wear on you too – and unchecked, may damage the relationship and the entire family dynamic.
So how do you cope?
Resiliency might be a popular word these days, but it is right on the money when it comes to coping with the impact that can be a side effect of being a first responder or in a relationship with someone who is.
Enter Project Homefront, set to debut monthly the latter part of January at the York County Regional Training Center, off Route 4 and Layman Way at 79 First County Way in Alfred.
It is hosted by longtime firefighter and licensed therapist Matthew R. Leach and by Jill Belleard, a licensed mental health clinician married to a law enforcement officer. Both have honed their counseling focus on helping first responders and their supporters.
Project Homefront is an offshoot of Homefront, a support group that began meeting a couple of years ago aimed at significant others of first responders.
The monthly sessions will focus on subjects like communication, stress reaction, compassion fatigue, burnout, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, substance misuse and more, like thoughts of self-harm, or worse.
“We see brain changes related to trauma,” said Leach. “One thing we need to do is recognize it and figure out how to deal with it.”
Sometimes, what may seem like a small change can make a difference, and may lead to other positive changes.
“First responders often come home exhausted and stare at their phone all night,” said Belleard. “It’s not that he or she doesn’t love you and the children, it’s that they’re disassociated… so now what do we do?”
One way to help change the dynamic can be as simple as exchanging a hug when you come through the door, and agreeing to put the phone down for a bit, she said.
Leach said in his own case, if he can shower and change as soon as he gets home he finds his demeanor is significantly better.
The monthly sessions and events are designed for families to come together, said Leach. “It’s not just supporting first responders – police, fire, EMS, corrections and dispatch – but their support systems.”
The first session, set for Jan 23 from 6 to 8 pm, is ‘Lost in Translation: Can You Hear Me Now?’ and examines effective communication skills.
On Feb. 27, ‘Stress Reaction and Coping,’ focuses on moral injury, compassion fatigue and burnout.
On March 27, ‘Purpose: Found, Some Assembly Required’ focuses on post-traumatic growth.
There will be additional monthly sessions, a couple of barbecues are planned, and a wellness conference.
The steering committee for Project Homefront includes representatives from all first responder disciplines, mental health professionals and others.
York County Regional Training Center Director Roger Hooper, a longtime member of the firefighting community, said the training center is happy to provide space for Project Homefront.
“We train people how to do the job, not how to handle it afterward,” Hooper said. Now, the three agree that it is changing, for the better.
The training sessions are free and intended for first responders, significant others and support systems. There is no registration – folks should just show up. Organizers say that the majority of trainings are not suitable for those under 13 years old. Folks are asked to call Leach at 207-749-9830 or Belleard at 207-719-4707 to ask about the appropriateness of training content if they plan to bring a teenager.
As well, Project Homefront encourages potential program sponsors to get in touch.
