PEORIA, Ill. – Peoria Fire Chief Shawn Sollberger says firefighters can go through a lot of heavy emotional moments in just a single shift.
“A human being generally only experiences four traumatic events in their life. And most people can describe what those are, whether that’s losing a loved one, see an accident, y’know significant things like that. A firefighter may see that in a day. And that’s not to be dramatic at all, we almost take it for granted,” Sollberger said.
To help provide those firefighters with assistance to deal with such events, the department is starting a Fire Chaplain program. It will provide a volunteer chaplain at each of the city’s 12 stations, to provide spiritual and emotional support.
Sollberger says the inspiration for the program came from a similar one at the Peoria Police Department.
He says one effect is to have more focused and better firefighters.
“If you have people who are emotionally, and psychologically, mentally in a better space, it’s going to have them better people first, and then they’re going to be better firefighters,” Sollberger said.
The chaplains are already starting their roles at the stations they are assigned to.
Sollberger says the chaplains will also work with the department’s mental health specialist to determine the type of care needed, and who will provide the care.
He says the chaplains will also be available to assist those who called in the emergency they are responding to, to provide whatever assistance and comfort is needed for them.
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