Behind the Line Support

Behind the Line Support Supporting those on the line & the ones at home supporting them

Sad news to wake up to this morning. A Millbury, Massachusetts police officer was shot multiple times while performing h...
02/04/2026

Sad news to wake up to this morning.

A Millbury, Massachusetts police officer was shot multiple times while performing his duties as a SWAT officer in another community.

The officer has been listed as being in stable condition. Sending our thoughts and prayers for a safe healing.

Please keep the officer, their family, and the department in your thoughts.

To the other officers involved - Its ok not to be
ok. Talk about it and process it. Watching a fellow officer get shot is a traumatic experience that you dont need to do alone. Stay strong.

Millbury Police Department

Congratulations on making it another day. Be proud that you survived another day in this wild and hectic world. Not ever...
02/04/2026

Congratulations on making it another day.

Be proud that you survived another day in this wild and hectic world. Not everyone can say that they got that chance. So many either lost their fight, gave up hope, or were taken to soon.

Your still here, another day to do something.

Was today easy or is it gonna be easy? Probably not. You got the strength to make it through. If you don’t believe it, we do.

Small steps forward is all we need.

If times get tough, take a deep breath. Remind yourself your still breathing. Stop and refocus your mind to remember today was a gift.

Can we do just one thing that helps us earn another tomorrow?

Days when your down and out its hard to think of doing it all again tomorrow, but no matter what your mind is saying - its another day and another gift to us. Let’s use it to our advantage.

The world is always a better place with you in it and never forget that. Bad days create tough people and tough people fight. Remember, its ok not to feel ok, you’re not alone.

You got this!

Ever hear of the 80/20 breakdown of thoughts?Its a popular psychological claim that states we think 80% negative (our in...
02/03/2026

Ever hear of the 80/20 breakdown of thoughts?

Its a popular psychological claim that states we think 80% negative (our inner grump) compared to 20% positive (voice of reason).

How often when we face a situation that isn’t winning the lottery does our mindset go directly positive?

This is why we should process our thoughts before directly addressing the issue at hand.

Refocusing your brain may help fast forward through the negative and get you to that 20%.

Its our brain and our mind, its our responsibility to make it go and think the way we want it to and not just accept our initial reactions.

What is a major sign that the job has caught up to you? Dissociation.This is when you disconnect from your thoughts and ...
02/03/2026

What is a major sign that the job has caught up to you? Dissociation.

This is when you disconnect from your thoughts and feelings. Its almost like loosing sense of who you really are.

While your family is having the time of their lives laughing and playing, your body is just there. Your thoughts are spiraling circles and you feel no emotional connection to whats happening.

Never experienced it? Its scary.

When you realize what is happening, its even
more upsetting. Now our mind goes into the what if game and the why is this happening takes over.

The positivity is that you recognize there is a problem and every problem has a solution.

The next step, communicate with your spouse and let them know something is wrong or happening. Don’t leave them in the dark.

Then find a mental health professional and make the appointment.

-Recognize the issue
-Communicate the problem
-Find help and treat the issue

Always remember, its ok not to feel ok.

Recently saw a post that asked why are fire departments struggling with recruitment…Isn’t the real question why are fire...
02/03/2026

Recently saw a post that asked why are fire departments struggling with recruitment…

Isn’t the real question why are fire departments struggling with retention?

Twenty years ago you got on the job and that was your home. You didn’t leave. You didn’t take another job somewhere unless it was a big city.

Today, firefighters are jumping around town to town.

Are some chasing money? Yes.
Are some chasing better benefits? Yes.

But I also see people leaving the fire service all together. Poor leadership and toxic work environments for the win.

How long does it take to fill your spot on the
job? Maybe an hour, depends on how long it takes the OT person to show up.

Do whats right for you….but when we focus on the retention, the recruitment issue may go away.

A terrible tragedy in Massachusetts as the crew of the Lily Jean lost their lives to the sea this week. No, not first re...
02/02/2026

A terrible tragedy in Massachusetts as the crew of the Lily Jean lost their lives to the sea this week.

No, not first responders but another profession that definitely risk their lives everytime they head out to sea.

Where we are from, everyone knows or is related to a fishermen or a boat owner. We know the work and time they put in along side the danger of the sea.

If the fire service looses 7 people in the line of duty, countrywide firefighters will flock to the area, attend funerals and side the streets for the miles. Families will receive benefits and other financial support. None of this for the fishermen.

May they never be forgotten.

Recently did my EMT renewal and realized that we have yet to specifically add anything for your own mental health….On yo...
02/02/2026

Recently did my EMT renewal and realized that we have yet to specifically add anything for your own mental health….

On your own good will you can attend a class and hope that hours get given at the end, but knowing that 80-90% of workers in EMS will be subjected to significant traumatic experiences wouldnt it be a good idea?

You do answer a questionare at the end regarding how much you work, how many jobs you have, how easy is it for you to get feedback on your job performance, and if its easy to talk to your supervisor’s.

So it’s sorta like hey we do care and want to learn more but we’re not going to face the demon in the room (literally).

See no evil / Hear no evil…

We need to do better.

This creates family. This creates a bond that others don’t have.Shift work is complete, dinner is over and now its “rest...
02/02/2026

This creates family.
This creates a bond that others don’t have.

Shift work is complete, dinner is over and now its “rest and rehabilitation” time. Some like to run off to their bunk and hide but if your a new guy…..stay at the table.

The 1:1 conversations that take place after hours create the connection we thrive for when talking about the “brotherhood”.

Listen to the stories.
Ask the questions.

Especially if you get the chance to sit with your officer or senior man - your getting a free lecture personalized to you.

Many have lost out on this because technology has taken over our lives. Social media, playing games on our phones…it creates isolation yet we wonder why the “brotherhood” isn’t strong.

One day you’re going miss this…treasure it.

Years in the fire service has taught me one big thing….those with knowledge want to hold onto it as a sign of strength a...
02/01/2026

Years in the fire service has taught me one big thing….those with knowledge want to hold onto it as a sign of strength and dominance towards the newer people.

Is this everyone? Absolutely not.
Is this a decent majority? Unfortunately.

If you know a person like this you know it’s not a sign of dominance but more of a toxic cancer.

How can we expect the newer generation of firefighters to succeed if were not willing to take the time and teach them?

After a few years on the job we forget what it was like walking through the door on day 1 and if it wasn’t good for you, why continue the tradition?

01/30/2026

So heartbreaking 💔

As a firefighters spouse, you have the chance to sit and have coffee with the spouse of a newer firefighter. Whats some ...
01/29/2026

As a firefighters spouse, you have the chance to sit and have coffee with the spouse of a newer firefighter.

Whats some advance you would give?

Post it in the comments and hopefully it will help someone else when they read it!

👉🏻 I’m not sure why it shows the older woman singing but it was to much to change. Hopefully she sings well!

How can I trust you with my personal struggle and needing help if all you do is talk about other people?We live in a soc...
01/29/2026

How can I trust you with my personal struggle and needing help if all you do is talk about other people?

We live in a society that loves the tea. Loves the drama. They feel important knowing that they know something you don’t. They love the attention they get when they come to the group with something “new”.

Chameleons is what they are.

Sorry ladies, firefighters might be worse in this category than you.

But then they will say its ok to talk. We need to end the stigma of mental health. We are all family remember?

Pay attention to why your members won’t speak up and ask for help. Is it because you have to many chameleons walking around or will they just not talk to you because they see what will happen?

Asking or saying you need help is the most challenging thing you will ever do. Worrying about being the new gossip around the station is the last thing we should worry about.

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Marion, MA
02738

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