Security Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Security Magazine logo
  • NEWS
    • Security Newswire
    • Technologies & Solutions
  • MANAGEMENT
    • Leadership Management
    • Enterprise Services
    • Security Education & Training
    • Logical Security
    • Security & Business Resilience
    • Profiles in Excellence
  • PHYSICAL
    • Access Management
    • Fire & Life Safety
    • Identity Management
    • Physical Security
    • Video Surveillance
    • Case Studies (Physical)
  • CYBER
    • Cybersecurity News
    • More
  • BLOG
  • COLUMNS
    • Cyber Tactics
    • Leadership & Management
    • Security Talk
    • Career Intelligence
    • Leader to Leader
    • Cybersecurity Education & Training
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Annual Guarding Report
    • Most Influential People in Security
    • The Security Benchmark Report
    • Top Guard and Security Officer Companies
    • Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    • Women in Security
  • SECTORS
    • Arenas / Stadiums / Leagues / Entertainment
    • Banking/Finance/Insurance
    • Construction, Real Estate, Property Management
    • Education: K-12
    • Education: University
    • Government: Federal, State and Local
    • Hospitality & Casinos
    • Hospitals & Medical Centers
    • Infrastructure:Electric,Gas & Water
    • Ports: Sea, Land, & Air
    • Retail/Restaurants/Convenience
    • Transportation/Logistics/Supply Chain/Distribution/ Warehousing
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Solutions by Sector
    • Security 500 Conference
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
      • Cybersecurity & Geopolitical Discussion
      • Ask Me Anything (AMA) Series
    • Podcasts
    • Polls
    • Photo Galleries
  • MORE
    • Call for Entries
    • Classifieds & Job Listings
    • Continuing Education
    • Newsletter
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • This Month's Content
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
ColumnsManagementPhysicalSecurity Talk ColumnSecurity Enterprise ServicesSecurity Leadership and ManagementPhysical Security

Security Talk

First Responders and Mental Health

By Diane Ritchey
SEC0420-talk-Feat-slide1_900px
April 3, 2020

Travis Howze was a firefighter.

Until one night in June 2007, in Charleston, S.C., when he and his team encountered a furniture warehouse fire. Nine of his firefighter brothers were killed while rescuing a trapped civilian. Due to injuries that he sustained in that same fire, Howze was forced to leave the job that he truly loved.

“After being exposed to countless traumas overs the years, stemming back to childhood and through my time in service, I learned to bury and compartmentalize those events,” he says. That all changed, he said, after that 2007 fire. “I was assigned to the body recovery team that night and my life would never be the same.  My life began to spiral out of control and the once happy, outgoing Travis was no longer. I withdrew from everyone and everything. I began drinking to the point of blackout and even put myself into many positions to die by fate. After fate would not take my life, I stuck a gun in my mouth and tried to do it myself, but couldn’t seem to.”

In order to deal with the pain, Howze went back to performing stand-up comedy, which he originally did just for fun before the fire. “It was the only thing that gave me joy and made me feel truly alive,” he says. “The short story is, eventually my issues would cause me to have to leave the job I really loved, which was being a firefighter. The silver lining, though, is that my issues gave me comedy, which in turn, gave me a life I could have never imagined. I was able to move past those dark years and not only turn my life into something positive, but also able to be in a position of helping others once again. My comedy took me all over the world, from headlining overseas tours for the troops to headlining many major comedy clubs and venues across the country. Eventually, I would start performing at Emergency Service Conferences and private events all over, to include the annual FDIC Firefighters Conference in Indianapolis, Ind. which hosts more than 30,000 firefighters and many more.”

Howze is dedicated to helping others. He participates in fundraising efforts for his local animal society and the Firefighter Cancer Network. He also belongs to the Rosecrance Florian Program advisory committee, which assists firefighters and paramedics who deal with alcohol abuse and PTSD.

Currently, he is in the process of publishing his first book, which will be an in-depth autobiography about his life, facing trauma and his PTSD. He decided to write the book, he says, “After many years of burying what I went through. Because in our profession, that’s what we do – we don’t talk about things. I decided enough was enough. The statistics of emergency personnel committing suicide is just as high if not higher than the military, and I know exactly why – because they have no outlet. I decided to write my book in great detail to explain how I was able to move on in life and become productive once again. Many who find themselves in similar situations give up all hope and just end it all.”

Struggles with PTSD are, unfortunately, not uncommon or unique among firefighters, paramedics and other first responders. Depression and PTSD affect an estimated 30 percent of our nation’s first responders – compared to 20 percent of the general population, according to data by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Association (SAMSA). And while approximately 3.7 percent of Americans have contemplated suicide, that rate jumps to 37 percent for fire and EMS professionals. Further, 0.5 percent of Americans attempt suicide vs. 6.6 percent of fire and EMS professionals.
Some legislatures are increasingly introducing legislation to help first responders, such as a recent bill in the Nebraska legislature, which would require the state to offer reimbursement for counseling for first responders with PTSD. It was introduced by state Sen. Tom Brewer, a combat veteran who was shot six times during a firefight with the Taliban in 2003. Many other states – such as Florida, Kentucky, Washington, Arizona, Vermont, Minnesota, South Carolina – have also introduced or passed legislation to assist first responders with PTSD.

Howze overcame his personal demons. But what about those who are still struggling? Beyond extending workers' compensation benefits, what more can we do to help individuals who put their physical and mental health at risk each day? I’d like to know your thoughts. Please email me at ritcheyd@bnpmedia.com.

KEYWORDS: emergency response first responders mental health PTSD

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Diane 2016 200

Diane Ritchey was former Editor, Communications and Content for Security magazine beginning in 2009. She has an experienced background in publishing, public relations, content creation and management, internal and external communications. Within her role at Security, Ritchey organized and executed the annual Security 500 conference, researched and wrote exclusive cover stories, managed social media, and authored the monthly Security Talk column.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security magazine's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024 award...
    Security Leadership and Management
    By: Security Staff
  • cyber brain

    The intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable cybersecurity...
    Cyber Tactics Column
    By: Pam Nigro
  • artificial intelligence AI graphic

    Assessing the pros and cons of AI for cybersecurity

    Artificial intelligence (AI) has significant implications...
    Cybersecurity Education & Training
    By: Charles Denyer
Manage My Account
  • Security eNewsletter & Other eNews Alerts
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Online Registration
  • Mobile App
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Security audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Security or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Sureview screen
    Sponsored bySureView Systems

    The Evolution of Automation in the Command Center

  • Crisis Response Team
    Sponsored byEverbridge

    Automate or Fall Behind – Crisis Response at the Speed of Risk

  • Perimeter security
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Why Property Security is the New Competitive Advantage

Popular Stories

Rendered computer with keyboard

16B Login Credentials Exposed in World’s Largest Data Breach

Verizon on phone screen

61M Records Listed for Sale Online, Allegedly Belong to Verizon

Security’s 2025 Women in Security

Security’s 2025 Women in Security

blurry multicolored text on black screen

PowerSchool Education Technology Company Announces Data Breach

Half closed laptop

Sudo Vulnerability Discovered, May Exposes Linux Systems

Events

August 7, 2025

Threats to the Energy Sector: Implications for Corporate and National Security

The energy sector has found itself in the crosshairs of virtually every bad actor on the global stage.

August 27, 2025

Risk Mitigation as a Competitive Edge

In today’s volatile environment, a robust risk management strategy isn’t just a requirement—it’s a foundation for organizational resilience. From cyber threats to climate disruptions, the ability to anticipate, withstand, and adapt to disruption is becoming a hallmark of industry leaders.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

See More Products

Related Articles

  • SEC0719-talk-Feat-slide1_900px

    First Responders and PTSD

    See More
  • SEC0720-talk-Feat-slide1_900px

    Post-COVID-19 and mental health

    See More
  • EMT

    Securing the mental health of first responders

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • Photonic-Sensing.gif

    Photonic Sensing: Principles and Applications for Safety and Security Monitoring

  • Physical-Security-and-Envir.gif

    Physical Security and Environmental Protection

  • Physical-Security-and-Safet.gif

    Physical Security and Safety: A Field Guide for the Practitioner

See More Products
×

Sign-up to receive top management & result-driven techniques in the industry.

Join over 20,000+ industry leaders who receive our premium content.

SIGN UP TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing