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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Joe Gorman, Chief of Staff/Executive Administrator of Friends of Firefighters
3:08:33
ยท
146 sec
Joe Gorman, representing Friends of Firefighters, testified about the critical need for mental health support for FDNY firefighters and their families. He highlighted the high rates of stress, depression, and PTSD among first responders and the importance of culturally competent, confidential counseling services provided by their organization.
- Friends of Firefighters provided nearly 4,500 counseling sessions last year, with demand nearly tripling since 2018.
- The organization is requesting $633,000 to cover the costs of direct services and outreach to NYC firefighters and their families.
- Gorman emphasized that their services are free, do not accept insurance, and have no limitations on frequency or session length.
Joe Gorman
3:08:33
Good afternoon.
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My name is Joe Gorman and I'm the son of a retired FDNY captain.
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I'm also proud to work for Friends of Firefighters, an organization founded with the mission of supporting New York City's bravest.
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In the aftermath of nine eleven, our founder Nancy Carbone established this organization upon witnessing firsthand the immense emotional and mental toll of our city firefighters.
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Since then, we've remained steadfast in our mission, providing free, independent, and culturally competent mental health support to active and retired FDNY firefighters and their families.
3:09:02
New York City Firefighters confront some of the most harrowing emergencies facing trauma and life threatening conditions daily.
3:09:09
A recent survey conducted by SUNY New Paltz revealed that more than sixty eight percent of first responders have experienced stress, while fifty three percent reported that they have experienced symptoms of depression.
3:09:20
Burnout and anxiety, among other mental health challenges identified by the respondents, and thirty eight percent reported to have symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder.
3:09:29
Sadly, the suicide rate amongst firefighters is higher than that of the rate of the general public.
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Eighty percent of respondents said that the stigma associated with mental health is an obstacle to seeking assistance.
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Culturally competent, mental health resources remain scarce and traditional employee assistance programs often fail to meet the first responders' unique needs.
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Counseling is the foundation of our work, providing firefighters and their families with critical, confidential support free of charge.
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Because we do not accept insurance, our clients face no session on caps, no limitations on frequency, and no restrictions on session lengths ensuring they receive the care that they need when they need it and however they want it.
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Our clinicians at Friends of Firefighters are seasoned therapists with diverse backgrounds, all of whom have a deep understanding of the firefighter community and its values.
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They employ a variety of evidence based approach and tailored methods that allow us to address a broad spectrum of firefighting specific mental health challenges.
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Today I'm here because we're at a critical point.
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The demand for our services has surged nearly tripling since 02/2018.
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Last year alone, we provided nearly 4,500 counseling sessions, yet our efforts have our fundraising efforts have not kept pace.
3:10:43
Friends of Firefighters respects $633,000 to cover the cost necessary to deliver direct services and conduct critical outreach to New York City Firefighters and their families.
3:10:54
Thank you to the chair for your continued and unwavering support, and thank you to the committee for their consideration.