VIDEO: First responders deal with traumatic events every day. And soon, more of them will get the mental health help they might need, thanks to nearly $1 million in federal funding coming to the Vegas valley.
Previous research shows elevated rates of suicides among first responders, compared to the rest of the adult population.
Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Chief Fernando Gray says unfortunately he’s not surprised to hear about the suicide rates.
But he says this money can be a lifesaver because he’s heard of too many stories like this. “I am aware of people that have basically lost their life to suicide that were firefighters,” Gray said.
That’s why he’s thankful Senators Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto roped in nearly $1 million to provide mental health training and support to thousands of firefighters, law enforcement and first responders.