FENTON, Mich. — Firefighters risk their lives everyday and another risk may not be so apparent, such as suicide.
Fenton Fire Department (FFD) and departments across Michigan are wearing a suicide prevention shirt to bring awareness of the effects on mental health and suicide within the fire service.
FFD Chief, Robert Cairnduff, said they took part because they want to do whatever it takes to reduce suicide rates among firefighters.
"We have to see people on their worst day. There's things that we see on site that is not pleasant," said Sean Caldwell, a FFD firefighter.
Firefighters are wearing the suicide prevention shirts for all of September since it is suicide prevention month.
Caldwell said, being a first responder has its many challenges. Yet, regardless of them, Caldwell hopes by wearing this shirt will save lives
"With any first responder, you go through times when you'll have creeping thoughts of memories that come up and that trauma presents itself in different ways to to different people in different times. Its important that we talk to each other and know that we're always their to help each other to talk," said Caldwell.
Assistant Chief Charles Koan has been a firefighter for over 50 years. He said he has seen the mental impact scenes have had on younger firefighters.
"Some of them who are new recruits. As soon as they get to a scene where there's an accident. Some of the sites aren't pleasant to look at and it does affect them," said Assistant Chief Koan.
Chief Cairnduff said he wants the shirts to not only bring awareness to suicide, but prompt more open and honest conversations.
"We want to make sure that our firefighters know that they can talk to anybody in the fire service. that we have an open door when it comes to that and that we're there for everybody. so its not just the fire service or the traumatic things they see there, but in life in general," said Chief Cairnduff.
To find out more about the yellow rose suicide prevention campaign shirt, click here.
If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thought, call or text the national suicide prevention lifeline at 988.