Chaplains to firefighters, officers and sheriff’s deputies offer comfort and inspiration during traumatic times
A first-responder chaplain’s life means unpredictable 24/7, 365-day demands characterized by raw emotions and adrenaline-churning emergency calls, interspersed with quiet moments sitting beside traumatized firefighters, police officers and sheriff’s deputies.Accompanying a team of forensic detectives to an exhumation to ensure the dignified treatment of a murder victim’s body.
“Lots of things go wrong in the world and evil, nasty things happen,” says San Diego County Sheriff’s Chaplain Bill Trok, who also serves as senior pastor of Ridgeview Church in Valley Center. “Law enforcement pushes back, and it’s an important job. But it takes a personal toll, so we are there to support the folks that do this kind of work and their families.
Beginning as a volunteer trauma interventionist, Salzman — an ordained Christian minister with a master’s degree in theology from Wesley Theological Seminary — has served as a chaplain for 10 years. She appreciates the opportunity to work alongside Genoa in providing emotional support to firefighters in high-stress critical moments.
“If we can debrief between 24 and 72 hours after a critical incident, we can help address issues along the way” rather than letting the effects of trauma fester. “It excites me as a first responder that San Diego has taken a leadership role in promoting peer support in the ranks.”Chaplaincy is different from other ministries, acknowledges Vista Fire Chaplain Connor McFadden, because first responders’ jobs impact them so differently from others’ work.
“They are known for being heroes,” he notes. “The personal sacrifices they make are heroic in my eyes, but it comes at a high cost to their emotional well-being and to their families.” The founder of Seeking Hope, an organization that teaches teams to care for those in crisis, she values her opportunity as a chaplain to care for the spirits of those who serve on the front lines of crises.
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