INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, Fla. – Sheriff’s deputies found the body of a Florida fire department battalion chief in a wooded area on Saturday evening where the battalion chief reported he would be in a 911 call earlier.
A Sheriff’s spokesman told TCPalm that Indian River County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief David Dangerfield was found in the woods a short distance away between mile marker 13 and the I-95 and Yeehaw Juntion. Dangerfield had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Dangerfield had made a post to his Facebook page on Saturday about firefighters and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Emergency Services Director John King sent out an email addressing the loss of Battalion Chief Dangerfield asking that coworkers keep his family in their thoughts and prayers.
Jeff Dill, founder of the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance a comprehensive online resource for information on firefighter suicides and behavioral health, tells FirefighterNation that the latest data on firefighter suicides shows at least 75 validated deaths with six waiting verification this year. 26 EMTs have taken their own lives this year as well, with another two deaths waiting verification.
“I still find it ironic, that because of our “cultural brainwashing” we find it difficult to ask for help on our own internal pain but we offer help to those around us including our brothers and sisters,” Dill wrote in an email to FFN. “We all need help at one time or another and education is a key for when we need to seek assistance and to seek qualified professional help from those who understand what we see and do.”
In addition to the material officer by FBHA to firefighters, the organization also offers help to family survivors through a closed group of many other families who have had to endure the difficulties of loved one’s suicide. Being in contact with family survivors and providing needed support is a constant goal for the FBHA.
The Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance offers a weekend retreat called ‘Those Left Behind’ for family members each year. This year’s retreat will be held in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Readers may contact them at info@ffbha.org for additional information and resources about the retreat and firefighter suicide.
Related from FireRescue Magazine and FirefighterNation:
Behavioral Health Programs in the Fire Service
Opening Up About Behavioral Health
Understanding Stress First Aid in the Fire Service
Firehouse Zen: Reaching Out – Talking About Suicide to Prevent It
Everyone Goes Home
Initiative No.13: Mental Health
