WE RUN FOR A CAUSE
The mission of the Inaugural Sound the Alarm 5K is simple, to bring awareness and financial support to the growing crisis of first responder suicide. All proceeds will benefit The Kentucky Firefighter Peer Support Group whose purpose is to provide an avenue by which first responders can reach out for help in a non-judgmental and confidential fashion. This group is currently active in Boone, Kenton, Campbell, Grant Owen and Pendleton counties. The organization does not place the stigma of weakness on anyone, but instead focuses on the bravery, strength, and courage it takes to say, "I need help." Since this group was formed, an average of fifty firefighters have reached out annually for assistance with suicidal thoughts and PTSD related issues.
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation reported in 2016 that seventy-five firefighters died in the line of duty, these brave men and women went to work and never returned home after their shifts. During that same year, an even more troubling statistic emerged. The Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance reported that one hundred and thirty-nine firefighters died by suicide. This data indicates that 54% more firefighters died by choice than in the line of duty. They are one and a half times more likely to perish by their own hand than from any job-related hazard.
This national problem impacted the Northern Kentucky firefighting community in 2016. Our quiet, protected community suffered the loss of one of our own and became part of this tragic nation-wide trend. We knew that a higher level of awareness was needed to combat this problem. The response was the formation of a support group of The Kentucky Firefighter Peer Support Group.
This national problem impacted the Northern Kentucky firefighting community in 2016. Our quiet, protected community suffered the loss of one of our own and became part of this tragic nation-wide trend. We knew that a higher level of awareness was needed to combat this problem. The response was the formation of a support group of The Kentucky Firefighter Peer Support Group.