‘Heroes’ as victims: Role reversal in the Fire andRescue Service

Abstract

This study focuses on firefighters who become casualties during occupational incidents involving colleague fatalities. It reports a case study of a single critical incident which occurred 14 years prior to the research being conducted. The incident resulted in serious casualties and deaths of both the general public and members of the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS). Relevant FRS personnel completed two measures of traumatic reactions, with all participants showing evidence of posttraumatic stress; scores indicated mild severity, but chronic duration of symptoms. Interviews were then conducted using a grounded theory approach. Three core categories emerged: coping strategies, aspects of guilt, and individual reliance on the watch (watches are close co-worker teams who provide cover on a shift rotation). Findings suggest that, when placed in a situation of extreme trauma where familiar coping strategies are inoperable, firefighters revert to excessive employment of avoidance. They become heavily reliant on watch members, and the reassembling of the watch becomes a primary focus for alleviating anxieties. This appears to be beneficial in the short term; however, without more formal forms of support, crew may remain in an emotionally blunted state. The strong and pervasive identification with the role of 'rescuer' is seen to exacerbate posttraumatic reactions, and acts as a barrier to seeking formal forms of post-incident support