By EMS1 Staff
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A bill is working its way through the Tennessee legislature to ensure quality PTSD care for firefighters and EMS providers.
WKRN reported that the legislation, which is sponsored by Sen. Bill Ketron and Rep. Sam Whitson, will guarantee access to a behavioral health counselor trained to deal with issues facing first responders.
“Not only the initial treatment, but treatment in a long-term phase, as long as it takes to get back to your normal self before you return to the job,” Mark Young, president of the IAFF Local 140, said.
The bill would include any paid professional firefighter or EMS provider employed by the state or local government.