HARRISBURG, Pa. — Every day, first responders across the Commonwealth are out working to protect. However, too many are left to fight a different kind of battle.
“You see so many things, and you take that home to your family," said Chief Brian Enterline of the Harrisburg Fire Department. "It affects family lives.”
Chief Enterline said he's seen a lot of Harrisburg firefighters struggle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder through their years of service. Many of them, he said, have gotten the help they needed, however many other first responders across the region have not.
In Pennsylvania, first responders are unable to receive worker's compensation benefits for their struggles with PTSD.
“It’s a very difficult thing and something that is curable," said Chief Enterline. "However, in Pennsylvania it was never recognized that professional police, fire, and EMS workers needed that to help them out.”
A bill that would expand those benefits recently made it through committee in Harrisburg. Last week, the PA House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee advanced House Bill 1632, which would allow first responders to qualify for worker's comp due to having PTSD.
Chief Enterline said this process has been years in the making.
“Knowing that you’re able to get help without questions being asked, without having a bunch of hoops to jump through," said Enterline. "Every police officer, firefighter, and paramedic in Pennsylvania has been waiting on this for a long time.”
Enterline hopes the bill will help get first responders the therapeutic help many desperately need.
“By getting treatment and talking to folks, it helps you get away from those emotions, and helps prevent suicide among our first responders, which is at an all-time high," he said.
The bill now advances to the General Assembly for a vote.