VIDEO: A new Texas law aims to address the growing crisis of first responder suicides by examining mental health support systems for firefighters across the state.
House Bill 1593, which took effect on Sept. 1, requires the Texas Commission on Fire Protection to assemble an advisory committee to study the need for suicide prevention and peer support programs in fire departments statewide.
The legislation comes as Texas grapples with an increasing number of firefighter suicides. Five Austin firefighters have died by suicide since 2017, according to Bob Nicks, president of the Austin Firefighters Association.
“We see tragic things, very tragic things. And it’s hard to put that to bed sometimes, and it does accumulate over time,” Nicks said.
Nationally, firefighter suicides are rising, according to research from the U.S. Fire Administration.
