Firefighter health is a hot topic

Firefighter and Franklin County Peer Support Team member Lance Comeau and his son, junior firefighter Bryce Comeau. Lance Comeau photo

As I walked into the office area to interview Firefighter Lance Comeau, I could feel the energy of the firefighters who had been there before me. As I gazed out over the bay, where a large, imposing red and chrome fire engine was parked gingerly under bright lights, I felt for a moment that the energy seemed to rise out of the bay and swallow me whole. I took a deep breath and sat down in the chair across from Lance.

Lance is more than just a full-time firefighter. He represents the Farmington Fire Department on the Franklin County Peer Support Team, along with other firefighters, EMS, police (local and county), and dispatch personnel. Farmington’s funding of Lance’s work with this team speaks volumes about their commitment to the health of men and women who dedicate their lives to serving others.

Before becoming a firefighter, Lance worked in trucking, and before owning a truck he worked for another company and for a time at the Jay Paper Mill. After the LEAP explosion in Farmington on September 16, 2019, he realized how understaffed the fire department, especially local fire departments, and felt a calling to work for the fire department. He trained in Fire 1 and 2 and quickly took a per diem position, then a full-time position with the Farmington Fire Department. Through his job, he met his wife, who is a firefighter and now works for a daily wage in Jay, Maine. His son is a junior firefighter.

Lance truly loves his work family. His friendly demeanor and laugh make it clear why he is not only a firefighter, but also a peer-to-peer leader. How does he perceive himself and his fire family’s health?

“I perceive stressors as being outside the norm. Are they drinking more, getting angry, or staring from 1,000 miles away? For more than an hour. There are also group meetings that follow. We don’t fix. We support. We help kids identify stressors like fight or flight mode, and even recognize what they’re eating. As soon as you see food, your body prepares to eat. Is it delicious food?

“They have to be able to carry out their normal lifestyle and firefighting activities. Last year we had three debriefings and 30 referrals. This year we have already had one debriefing and 11 referrals. We have made great progress with our mentoring program. We utilize “seasoned” firefighters to encourage and mentor our younger participants. Volunteers are not always available, especially in rural areas. Because fatalities are unlikely to occur, the impact will vary. We prefer to meet at off-duty locations.

“Men don’t like to share. It’s hard to break the misconception that group work means you’re weak. To cheer up your crew, they need to be healthy, cooperative, and expressive. He likes to go out into nature and listens to motivational speaker Wim Hof’s podcasts.”

The Hoff program trains participants to increase oxygen levels through breathing exercises that affect heart rate variability, ice-cold plunges, heat therapy to build muscle tone, meditation, and more.

Lance explains his interest in firefighting: “When I first joined as a volunteer in 2001, I thought firefighting was fun, spraying water on fires. As time went on, I saw it as a way to help people.Nature “I want to help them. The idea of ​​helping has been suppressed.”

Sensitive and spiritually balanced, Lance describes the spiritual relationship between his work and life: Courage is doing the right thing despite danger. Living for God has made me more helpful to those around me. Did I do something fun with my life today? It’s the key to living a productive and fulfilling life. ”

When the interview ended, I remembered: “What you call chaos may be your greatest opportunity to discover yourself.” (Lillian Lake)

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