When the Alarm Comes In.

Produced in EAPA Journal September, 2000
Michael Blackburn is a captain and 27-year veteran of the Providence (R.I.) Fire Department , where he serves as acting director of the Division of Training, Certified In drug and alcohol counseling. Blackburn is chairman of the providence firefighters’ EAP, secretary and treasurer of the EAPA Massachusetts Chapter, President of the Rhode Island Labor Assistance Professionals and Vice President of Treatment Solutions Network.

The alarm comes in. Rescue, engine, and ladder trucks go out. Several hours later four eight, or even 12 firefighters are left with possible symptoms of adrenaline overload, horrific visions of burned or mutilated bodies, the sound of a gunshot victim gasping for breath, the guilt of not being able to save an infant, and/or feelings of not having done enough.

Twenty years ago, these firefighters would have been left to their own devices to ease their pain, Often, the local bar was the place to “debrief” Unfortunately, that kind of  self-soothing often led to alcohol or drug addiction, marital problems, financial problems, and other concerns.

Today, firefighters in Local 799 in Providence, R.I., Can get help from the critical Incident Stress Team, which includes members of the fire departments EAP as well as CIS professionals. Team members stand ready to debrief firefighters within hours of the fire. If further assistance is requested, referrals are: made to qualified professionals who understand problems unique to the fire fighting profession.

EAP staff have received advanced training in CIS using the so-called” Mitchell Model,” and we are extremely proud of the CIS component of our EAP. Through the Rhode Island Chapter of Labor Assistance Professionals we extend our services to any local in need of them.

That said, it is important to note that the core services of Local 799’s EAP are (and always have been) alcohol and drug addiction treatment and recovery. Local members know that if they call for help for treating addiction a firefighter in recovery will come to their rescue. After  first making a “reservation.” for the addict, the firefighter will personally pick up the person and take him or her to the treatment facility. The firefighter will reassure the addict’s family members and check on the person periodically while he or she is “away,” The firefighter also handles the addict’s absence from work and is available to him or her (and family members) 24 hours a day, Seven days a week.

In short, the firefighter makes it possible for the addict to focus on treatment, that is the essence of Local 799’s EAP – family taking care of family. But with the onset of managed care, the Drug-Free Workplace Act, and Department of Transportation regulations, our EAP has had to evolve. As a result, most EAP staff have completed the required coursework at the University of Rhode Island’s certification program for drug and alcohol counseling, Some of us also have had SASSI and ASAM training as well as workshops and courses on ethics, crisis intervention with drug abusers, the12 tore functions of the substance abuse counselor, and HIV/AIDS.

Because 30-day treatment stays are no longer the norm, we as EAP Professionals have had to become better educated to create a level playing field with Managed Care, Our team members can now speak the same language as the “gatekeepers”-DSM-IV presenting problems, dual diagnoses, and so on-and thus can help ensure that our brothers and sisters get the treatment, to which they are entitled.

Firelighters and their families experience personal problems common to all walks of life. With its broad-brush approach, Our EAP addresses issues related not only to alcohol and drug dependency but also to family life, personal finances, gambling, workplace stress, and other concerns. Offering these types of assistance necessitated the development of a referral list of reputable professionals-psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers,etc. ,- willing and able to respond quickly to our members needs.

We at local 799 were at the forefront in Rhode Island in forming our Labor Assistance Professionals chapter. Through our chapter, we have developed excellent working relationships with several treatment facilities, we’ve established a network of providers that understand issues and problems that are unique not only to firefighting but to organized labor as well.

Following the lead of the New York and Boston LAP chapters, we have forged a bond with Brown University and the University of Rhode Island to assist our chapter with continuing education Some  of the therapists, doctors, and treatment facilities we use offer seminars to our chapter members. Providence Fire Department EAP professionals regularly attend these seminars and are active in the EAPA Massachusetts Chapter.

The Providence Fire Department and Local 799 realize that their most important resources are their members. The chief of the department, James Rattigan, and the president of local 799, George Farrell, arc both very supportive of the EAP. We have language in our collective bargaining agreement identifying stress as a line of-duty injury and contractual provisions that provide time off for EAP staff to attend professional conferences and seminars.

Our EAP was designed to provide union members, retirees, family members, and widows with dignified, confidential,  and professional assistance without  jeopardizing job security or promotional opportunities. That is still our mission today. Our team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for immediate, personal responses.