Our thoughts are with the families and the first responders impacted by the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Learn more about this response and supporting members’ mental health in times of crisis with these incident analyses:
- In “Uvalde shooting: Echoes of Sandy Hook for responders and parents,” Greg Friese, MS, NRP, offers gratitude for the teachers, police officers, EMTs, paramedics, hospital personnel, pilots and other helpers who aided injured children, and looks to what comes next.
- In “Uvalde aftermath: What should we do today?” Rob Lawrence encourages EMS leaders to take steps now to protect members from future tragedy, writing, “Sadly, this isn’t the last time we will see these headlines, but for us, today, put the tourniquet away and focus on the heart and soul of those in our charge.”
- In “Rapid response: 5 ways to be prepared for a MCI in your community,” Chief Rob Wylie details why
swift triage, being good at the basics and a plan for exfiltrating the wounded are essential steps to immediate lifesaving measures.
By Rachel Engel
UVALDE, Texas — Following Tuesday’s mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in which 19 children and two teachers were killed, first responder organizations shared their support on social media, focusing on the emotional impact on those who provided immediate assistance and the unimaginable horror facing the families of the victims.
first responder support
The Uvalde Volunteer Fire Department raised an American flag to half-mast to show support for the community.
https://www.facebook.com/UvaldeVolunteerFireDepartment/videos/1049787279253154
Other fire departments and EMS agencies near and far shared their support for Uvalde via social media.
https://www.facebook.com/SANANTONIOFIREDEPARTMENT/posts/374886184674328 https://twitter.com/MedStarEMSInfo/status/1529252014647128067 https://twitter.com/EMSISD/status/1529259750050996224 https://www.facebook.com/concanfiredepartment/posts/379902720822013 https://www.facebook.com/kerrvillefiredepartment/posts/154269393782544 https://www.facebook.com/ccemstx/posts/5249867765074975 https://twitter.com/ArlingtonVaFD/status/1529244288990814210 https://twitter.com/cyfairfd/status/1529208584533610496 https://twitter.com/stpfd4/status/1529485780313329666?s=20&t=TIwONtD57cmdtZmQxFgnlw https://twitter.com/AlamoCityEM/status/1529326468983029761?s=20&t=TIwONtD57cmdtZmQxFgnlw
Additional resources
Check out these additional links for mental health support for first responders: